Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and chief of DOGE, remains a force to be reckoned with despite repeated attacks by the radical left. In the practical world of innovation and progress, Musk’s achievements continue to shine brightly.
Reports indicate that his company, SpaceX, is set to expand its involvement in military ventures as the Pentagon considers revamping a program to launch hundreds of missile-tracking satellites into low Earth orbit.
The Washington Post reports:
“Competitors have fallen so far behind SpaceX that many fear they won’t be able to catch up, leaving NASA and the Pentagon with few other options as it faces increased competition in space from China and other nations. Musk’s hard-charging company rakes in billions of dollars from the U.S. government, flying everything from cargo to astronauts to some of the Defense Department’s most sensitive satellites. The company also operates more than 7,000 Starlink internet satellites in orbit, more than any other entity.”
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 stands as the most reliable rocket in the annals of space exploration. While the Space Force has aimed for multiple contractors to drive innovation, efficiency, and cost reduction, SpaceX remains a formidable leader.
Presently, SpaceX runs a militarized version of the Starlink network, named Starshield, utilized by the Pentagon and intelligence agencies.
“In a statement, the Air Force and Space Force said they are working with the Office of the Secretary of Defense ‘to evaluate all acquisition programs’ at a time when the Trump administration is looking to cut the Pentagon’s budget by 8 percent so that the money can be used for new priorities. But the agencies said that ‘no decisions had been made’ regarding the satellite system, known as the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture program[…].
The Pentagon is projected to invest $35 billion in the missile-tracking system, as per the Government Accountability Office (GAO). It remains uncertain if the Pentagon will cancel previous contracts with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, York Space Systems, and Rocket Lab, or if it will restructure the upcoming solicitation.
In a strategic move, the Pentagon opts for swarms of smaller satellites, offering redundancy and a challenge to target, over larger, vulnerable satellites.
The missile warning system is set to include between 300 to 500 satellites in low Earth orbit.
“The Pentagon has moved to allow for greater competition in another multibillion program: launching the satellites it increasingly relies on for modern warfare operations like precision-guided munitions, reconnaissance, and communication.
To allow more companies to vie for the contracts, the Pentagon created two ‘lanes’ of launch competitions. Lane 1 would allow new entrants to bid on individual contracts to launch satellites that are smaller and not as vital; Lane 2 would be reserved for more powerful and proven rockets that would hoist satellites that cannot risk failure.”
SpaceX triumphed in securing the majority of the Lane 2 contracts, which extend through 2029. With the Falcon 9’s unrivaled reliability, the Pentagon is expected to increasingly rely on SpaceX for its future ventures.
