WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force assigned SpaceX five of seven national security missions budgeted in fiscal year 2026, continuing the company’s dominant streak in the Pentagon’s most critical launch program. United Launch Alliance (ULA) will fly the remaining two missions, while Blue Origin — whose New Glenn rocket is not yet certified — will have to wait until at least fiscal year 2027 for its first assignment, the Space Systems Command announced Oct. 3.

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Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...