Space Force First Six Missile-Defense Satellites in Medium Orbit to Cost About $500 Million

Space News - Millennium Space Systems has secured contracts from the U.S. Space Force, amounting to $509.5 million, to develop the initial six satellites for a medium Earth orbit (MEO) constellation. The primary objective of this constellation is to identify and monitor ballistic and hypersonic missiles. While the announcement of Millennium Space being chosen as the satellite supplier was made last month, the contract financial details were undisclosed at the time.

The Space Systems Command spokesperson revealed that Millennium Space is tasked with the production and delivery of six Epoch 1 satellites. These satellites, constructed on Millennium Space Altair satellite bus, are part of a sophisticated network of space sensors. Additionally, Millennium Space is responsible for providing the command and control systems, as well as mission data processing systems essential for the operation of these satellites.

The comprehensive contract also encompasses potential awards for supporting launch activities and extending on-orbit operations for up to five additional years. If these options are granted, an extra $123.4 million will be added to the contract value.

A significant milestone was achieved in November when Millennium proposed satellite successfully passed a critical design review. As a result, the company is set to commence manufacturing hardware for eventual delivery and launch scheduled for late 2026.

The MEO missile tracking constellation, anticipated to include up to 27 satellites, aims to enhance coverage and detection capabilities, complementing existing systems in geosynchronous orbits. Millennium Space, a subsidiary of Boeing headquartered in El Segundo, California, specializes in the development of small satellites and rapid prototyping.

In the competitive landscape, other companies like RTX and L3Harris are vying for potential future MEO satellite orders. This development aligns with the broader efforts of the Space Force to procure advanced missile-tracking satellites for its medium Earth orbit constellation.