Space Force Missile-Tracking Satellites Clear Design Reviews Across Two Orbits
Three missile-tracking satellite programs have cleared key design reviews as the U.S. Space Force builds out new sensor constellations in low and medium Earth orbit. The milestone marks progress on an architecture intended to detect and track missile threats from space. The Space Force is developing missile-tracking constellations across both low Earth orbit and medium Earth orbit. The effort reflects a maturing architecture for detecting and tracking missile threats rather than a single-orbit
OST Staff · September 25, 2026
Three missile-tracking satellite programs have cleared key design reviews as the U.S. Space Force builds out new sensor constellations in low and medium Earth orbit. The milestone marks progress on an architecture intended to detect and track missile threats from space.
The Space Force is developing missile-tracking constellations across both low Earth orbit and medium Earth orbit. The effort reflects a maturing architecture for detecting and tracking missile threats rather than a single-orbit approach.
The work spans two orbital regimes, with the service pursuing sensor coverage in both LEO and MEO. Three programs have now passed key design reviews, according to the report published September 24, 2026.
The progress across both orbits points to a layered sensing network, with the Space Force building capability in more than one orbit rather than concentrating on a single one.
Further design and development milestones for the constellations will mark the next steps as the Space Force continues building out its multi-orbit missile-tracking layer.