SpaceX secures $733 million contract for U.S. Space Force launches

SpaceX has been awarded an eight-launch contract valued at $733 million by the U.S. Space Force as part of its "National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1" program.

The contract, announced on Friday, includes seven launches for the Space Development Agency and one for the National Reconnaissance Office, with all missions expected to use Falcon 9 rockets and begin no earlier than 2026.

This contract is part of a broader initiative by the Space Force to foster competition among launch providers, with SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, and Blue Origin selected to compete for future launches. The award covers lower-risk missions and near-Earth orbits, with a potential total value of $5.6 billion over five years.

The Space Force plans to conduct at least 30 missions between fiscal years 2025 and 2029, and new bidders may join the bidding process in future years.