"SpaceX Boosts U.S. Missile Tracking with Secret Valentine's Day Satellite Launch"

The Pentagon, in collaboration with SpaceX, has launched six satellites to enhance its missile tracking capabilities, with four satellites supporting the Space Development Agency's tracking constellation and two being part of the Missile Defense Agency's Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor program. These satellites, residing in low Earth orbit, aim to detect and track traditional ballistic missiles and maneuvering hypersonic weapons, providing a more robust network to counter increasing threats from China and Russia. The Pentagon plans to invest nearly $16 billion in these efforts through fiscal 2028, with future tranches of SDA spacecraft combining capabilities and incorporating improved sensor technology.