Space Force Starshield Launch Thursday: SpaceX Controls Both Rocket and Satellite Backbone

The United States Space Force is launching another classified Falcon 9 mission, USSF-153, likely carrying Starshield military satellites operated by SpaceX, continuing a sole-source $2.29 billion contract without competitive bidding. The mission uses a record-setting reusable Falcon 9 booster and highlights ongoing Congressional concerns about the lack of competition and open architecture in the Space Data Network Backbone program.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Government & Space.