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Rocket Lab, STR Win Space Force Contracts

August 7, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Rocket Lab and STR win Space Force contracts.
Contracts total $615 million for AMTI satellite program.
Program aims to track aircraft and missile threats from orbit.
Third unidentified vendor also awarded a contract.

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Strategic Implications

This award may indicate the Space Force's interest in diversifying its supplier base and exploring alternative sensing technologies. The investment in AMTI could suggest a shift towards space-based surveillance, which may enhance the military's ability to detect and track airborne targets, potentially reducing reliance on traditional aircraft-based systems.

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What Happened

Companies To Develop Airborne Target Tracking Technologies

The US Space Force has awarded contracts totaling $615 million to Rocket Lab, Systems & Technology Research, and a third unidentified company to develop technologies for the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) satellite program. The program aims to provide persistent tracking of aircraft and missile threats from orbit, where surveillance aircraft may be unable to operate safely. The awards are intended to expand the program’s supplier base and evaluate different approaches to detecting and tracking airborne targets. This development was first reported by SpaceNews.

Source | Originally Published: August 4, 2026

Companies Mentioned