The U.S. Space Force has awarded the majority of its 2026 national security missions to SpaceX. The company has secured a $714 million contract for five launches, while rival United Launch Alliance (ULA) won two missions worth $428 million.
This move further strengthens SpaceX’s position in the Pentagon’s most complex spaceflight programme. Under the contract, the company will launch Boeing’s 12th Wideband Global Satcom satellite, three classified payloads for the Space Force, and carry out the NROL-86 reconnaissance mission.
ULA’s assigned missions include the USSF-88, carrying a GPS III Follow-on satellite, and the NROL-88 spy payload.
Blue Origin, which has yet to certify its New Glenn rocket, was once again left out of the programme. The Space Systems Command has stated that the company is unlikely to carry out its first national security launch until fiscal 2027. NASA’s Mars mission this autumn is expected to play a key role in advancing Blue Origin’s certification.
The Phase 3, Lane 2 segment of the National Security Space Launch programme covers roughly 54 missions between 2025 and 2029, with a total value of $13.7 billion. Actual launches are scheduled from 2027 to 2032, giving companies ample time to integrate and prepare payloads.
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U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Ukraine has targeted at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia since 18 July, disrupting a major logistics network. Kyiv says the strikes aim to disrupt alleged military-linked supplies, while the attacks have caused billions of dollars in losses and wider economic pressure.
South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Monday it was reviewing U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on scaling back joint military drills. It added that it hoped a favourable relationship between Washington and Pyongyang could lead to meaningful talks.
Russia said its air defences downed 180 drones over the Moscow region overnight, with 620 drones reportedly targeting the area, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
At least six Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, according to Palestinian health officials, as efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to advance a plan to end the war remain deadlocked.
Georgia’s newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III is set to visit Istanbul, with the upcoming trip discussed during a meeting with Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, a representative of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
Azerbaijan’s strategic rise is turning it from a transit state into a regional rule-setter, with the Middle Corridor giving Baku growing influence far beyond its size, analyst Ahmad Alili says.
Kyrgyzstan is seeking to boost fuel imports from China as it looks to diversify supplies and reduce the risks of its heavy reliance on Russia.
At least 42 children were injured in an explosion at an educational centre in western Kabul on Monday, sparking international calls for a full investigation.
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