SpaceX wins SDA tracking, transport launch contract

The Space Development Agency has awarded SpaceX $150 million to launch up to 28 satellites in support of the agency's tracking and transport layers.

The first satellite is slated to launch in September 2022 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA, and the rest of the constellation is expected to be on orbit by March 2023.

The satellites include eight missile warning, or tracking, space vehicles and 20 data-relay satellites. SpaceX received a separate contract in October to develop four of the tracking layer satellites, however the work has been delayed due to an ongoing protest.