The new contracts build off the $4.16 billion award given to SpaceX in May, which tasked the company to develop an initial satellite constellation for the SB-AMTI…
View of Earth from space at night showing illuminated city lights and glowing data network lines connecting various points across continents, symbolizing global communication, technology, and interconnected digital infrastructure. The image highlights the curvature of the planet with a bright sunrise over the horizon and deep space background.
Maps from NASA: https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/144875/earth-at-night-black-marble-2012-color-maps-v2
Formerly known as MILNET, the Space Data Network Backbone constellation will provide backhaul communications to facilitate data transfer for the Pentagon.
GenAI.mil Excite Day featured: Representatives from Google and the GenAI.mil team to meet and greet, answer questions, and share what’s coming. // Three stations set up with computers/monitors: (1) Real-time demos with Google, (2) GenAI.mil Getting Started videos and web interactive, (3) Training opportunities and pre-registration for a specialty Agent Designer course. // Visits from USD(R&E) Honorable Emil Michael and CDAO Mr. Cameron Stanley. (DOD Photo by Photo by Jeffrey Herbert)
The Space Data Network has multiple components and will support a number of Pentagon-wide efforts, including the Golden Dome for America missile defense architecture.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office at the White House on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump announced his plans for the “Golden Dome,” a national ballistic and cruise missile defense system. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The L3Harris-built Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) satellite launched on a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket Aug. 12 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. NTS-3 will be used for a variety of experiments to include testing on-orbit, next-generation technologies that assist warfighters in contested environments. (L3Harris photo.)
An AC-130J Ghostrider gunship assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command flies near Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 6, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tori Haudenschild)
AFSOC is conducting market research for “ruggedized Starlink/Starshield integration solutions onto AC-130J Ghostrider," according to a recent request for information.
