Northrop Grumman launches 21 military satellites to track missile threats

On October 10, 2026, SpaceX launched 21 Northrop Grumman-built satellites into low Earth orbit for the US Space Development Agency's Tranche 1 Transport Layer. The spacecraft will provide secure Link 16 communications and missile warning and tracking, bringing the total of Tranche 1 satellites in orbit to 84.

• 21 satellites launched on October 10, 2026, aboard a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg
• Total of 84 Tranche 1 spacecraft now in orbit for SDA
• Satellites bring the military Link 16 network into space
• Northrop Grumman is building about 150 satellites across three tranches