SpaceX wins contract to build hypersonic tracking satellites

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SpaceX won a contract worth $149 million to build hypersonic tracking satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s (SDA) planned mega-constellation.

Under the contract, SpaceX will design and develop four satellites outfitted with a wide field of view (WGOV) overhead persistent infrared sensors that will work in the low Earth orbit.

SpaceX submitted a compelling proposal to develop hypersonic tracking satellites

According to SDA Director Derek Tournear, the agency awarded the contract to SpaceX “based purely on technical merit.”

SpaceX is known for pioneering reusable rockets, developing astronaut capsules, and launching the Starlink mega-constellation of hundreds of internet satellites to provide affordable broadband to consumers anywhere on the planet.  Its Founder and CEO Elon Musk believes the Starlink system will generate enough revenue to fund SpaceX’s ambitious interplanetary goals.

SpaceX plans to use its Starlink assembly plant to build the four hypersonic tracking satellites. It is working with its partners to develop the WGOV overhead persistent infrared sensors, according to Tournear.