The US Space Force has awarded SpaceX $2.29bn to build the Space Data Network Backbone on Starshield satellites, the communications spine for Golden Dome missile defence.

The SpaceX "backbone" constellation will support the broader Space Data Network, which will include the Space Development Agency's Transport layer satellites.

SpaceX won a $2.29B US Space Force contract to build the Space Data Network Backbone, a LEO satellite constellation with laser links and advanced encryption.