The U.S. Space Force has awarded a significant $1.2 billion contract to BAE Systems Space and Mission Systems for the development and deployment of 10 new satellites. These satellites, destined for medium Earth orbit, are designed to monitor rocket launches and their flight paths.
This substantial order falls under the Space Force’s Resilient Missile Warning Tracking Epoch 2 program. The initiative focuses on positioning a network of devices in medium Earth orbit to safeguard the United States from various missile threats, including the advanced hypersonic weapons that have become a key priority in current Pentagon defense planning.
BAE Systems Space and Mission Systems brings extensive experience in creating satellites and space systems. The company was known as Ball Aerospace until its acquisition by BAE Systems in 2024. The upcoming satellites will be built to detect a wide array of aerial dangers, from large intercontinental ballistic missile liftoffs to subtle, maneuverable hypersonic projectiles. They will seamlessly integrate into the broader US national missile defense framework.
These satellites will rely on sophisticated sensors capable of identifying the heat signatures of missile launches and following their trajectories. They will provide crucial early warnings and data for defense systems. The first delivery of these satellites is anticipated in 2029. This program builds upon an earlier effort where the Space Force acquired 12 satellites from Millennium Space, which are set to be placed in orbit between 2026 and 2027. Those too will contribute to early missile launch detection.
Both constellations are expected to form part of a comprehensive, multi-layered US missile defense architecture that President Donald Trump has previously referred to as the “Golden Dome.” Medium Earth orbits span altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 35,786 kilometers. They offer distinct advantages over both lower and geostationary orbits, combining the high detail of the former with the extensive coverage of the latter.