SpaceX wins $1.6 billion US Space Force order for 18 Falcon 9 launches

SpaceX has been awarded a significant $1.6 billion contract by the U.S. Space Force for 18 Falcon 9 launches scheduled through 2027. These missions are critical for deploying Pentagon satellites tasked with detecting and targeting airborne threats, bolstering U.S. military capabilities.

The 18 missions were allocated to SpaceX through two task orders under the Space Force's primary launch procurement program. This program involves intense competition among U.S. launch providers, including United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin, for lucrative mission assignments.

This latest contract adds to SpaceX's substantial earnings from the Pentagon this year, with the company having already secured at least $7 billion in contracts. These agreements are seen as foundational to the Trump administration's development of its "Golden Dome" missile defense shield, a project where Elon Musk's space and satellite company plays a pivotal role.

The image accompanying the report shows the SpaceX facility and a Falcon 9 rocket booster in Hawthorne, California, on April 23, 2026, as the company prepared for an initial public offering (IPO).