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June 9, 2025

SpaceX revenue hits $11.8 billion with $537 million Pentagon deal

Breaking Defense
The War Zone
Spacenews
Reuters
Unshin Harpley
+3

SpaceX projects $11.8 billion revenue with growing military surveillance contracts.

In 2024, SpaceX launches accounted for 84% of all satellites put into orbit, underscoring its dominant role in access to space. (Source: War Zone; Texas Standard; SpaceNews)

SpaceX is projected to generate $11.8 billion in revenue in 2025, driven in part by military and intelligence contracts. (Source: SpaceNews)

As of mid-2025, at least 118 Starshield satellites have been launched to form part of SpaceX’s classified military constellation. (Source: Wikipedia; Reuters; Breaking Defense)

The Space Force’s Proliferated Low Earth Orbit Satellite-Based Services program carries a contract ceiling of $13 billion over 10 years, under which SpaceX has received major task orders. (Source: Wikipedia; Breaking Defense; Air & Space Forces)

The classified MILNET contract with SpaceX is funded by the U.S. Space Force but managed by the National Reconnaissance Office, creating a dual-use military-intelligence network. (Source: Breaking Defense; Reuters; Wikipedia)

Ukrainian military forces use Starlink satellites to connect and coordinate combat drones, naval drones, and artillery fire control systems. (Source: Wikipedia; War Zone; SpaceNews)

SpaceX and Elon Musk have faced criticism for at times limiting Ukrainian military use of Starlink during operations, raising concerns about private control over critical communications. (Source: Air & Space Forces; Wikipedia; War Zone)

SpaceX’s commercial Starlink constellation is integrated with the classified Starshield program, creating dual-use infrastructure where consumer service subsidizes and conceals military surveillance capabilities. (Source: Reuters; Wikipedia; War Zone)

Northrop Grumman partnered with SpaceX on the classified spy satellite network to avoid sole reliance on a single commercial provider. (Source: Wikipedia; Reuters; War Zone)

SpaceX has stated it remains in full compliance with U.S. export controls and defense contract requirements—including Taiwan-related restrictions—after congressional inquiries. (Source: Wikipedia; War Zone; Breaking Defense)

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Q1

SpaceX's satellites are used by which military for controlling naval drones and artillery coordination?

Q2

What percentage of all satellites launched in 2024 were SpaceX launches?

Q3

SpaceX's Proliferated Low Earth Orbit Satellite-Based Services program has what contract ceiling over 10 years?

Q4

What company partnered with SpaceX on the classified spy satellite network to avoid "total investment in one company"?

Q5

How many Starshield satellites have been launched as of 2025?

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People, bills, and sources

What you can do

1

Track space-related and defense spending legislation on congress.gov to stay informed about proposed bills and budget allocations.

2

Use USAspending.gov to review detailed award data and spending on DOD and NRO satellite contracts.

3

Contact your representatives to ask for increased congressional oversight of dual-use satellite infrastructures and private sector military partnerships.

4

Consult the Federal Communications Commission’s satellite policy pages (fcc.gov) to learn about regulatory frameworks for commercial operators.

5

Review Government Accountability Office reports (gao.gov) on military space acquisitions for independent analysis and audit findings.

6

Monitor real-time orbital deployments and space-debris data via the U.S. Space Force Space-Track portal (space-track.org) to understand constellation growth.