SpaceX secures $6.45 billion in U.S. Space Force contracts ahead of historic IPO

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX two contracts totalling $6.45 billion, a move that arrives just ahead of the company’s anticipated initial public offering next month. The agreements include a $4.16 billion deal for satellites supporting the “Golden Dome” missile and air defence system, a project championed by President Donald Trump, and a $2.29 billion contract for a low-Earth orbit communications network.

The $4.16 billion contract, which involves developing sensor-equipped satellites to detect and track airborne targets, was announced on Friday. Bloomberg first reported the deal, which marks a significant expansion of SpaceX’s role in federal defence infrastructure. This follows a separate award made earlier in the week, when the Space Force granted the $2.29 billion agreement for the communications network.

These announcements reinforce disclosures made in SpaceX’s initial public offering filing, which revealed that government contracts accounted for one-fifth of the company’s income in 2025. The heavy reliance on federal revenue highlights the financial significance of these new awards as the company prepares to list on the public markets.

SpaceX has dominated the launch market over the last decade, establishing a strong position with federal agencies. The company’s closeness to the current administration is notable, with owner Elon Musk contributing approximately $300 million towards President Trump’s election campaign. This political relationship coincides with the administration’s push for the “Golden Dome” initiative.

Despite the substantial contract awards, the company’s IPO filing included warnings to investors regarding the risks associated with government contracts. The filing cited potential changes in policies, priorities, regulations, mandates, and funding levels as factors that could impact the stability of the business with governmental entities.