Elon Musk's SpaceX Wins $112.7 Million NOAA Satellite Launch Contract

Elon Musk's company won the contract to launch the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) JPSS-4 satellite. If all goes as planned, JPSS-4 will launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base in 2027.

The firm, fixed-price contract is valued at $112.7 million, which includes launch services and other mission-related costs, NASA officials announced on Monday.

The JPSS (Joint Polar Satellite System) program is a collaboration between NOAA and NASA, with NASA awarding the JPSS-4 launch contract on behalf of NOAA. The satellite constellation collects a variety of data on Earth's land, sea, and air.

"These data support NOAA's mission for continuous observation of Earth's environment to understand and predict changes in weather, climate, oceans and coasts to support the nation's economy and protect lives and property," NASA officials stated in the update. "NASA uses the instruments aboard the JPSS satellites to continue decades of Earth science research for the betterment of humanity."

To date, three JPSS satellites have been launched and remain operational: Suomi NPP in October 2011, JPSS-1 (renamed NOAA-20 upon reaching its final orbit) in November 2017, and JPSS-2 (NOAA-21) in November 2022. All three launched aboard United Launch Alliance rockets—a Delta II for Suomi NPP and JPSS-1, and an Atlas V for JPSS-2.

The JPSS fleet will eventually consist of five satellites, with JPSS-3 scheduled to launch in 2032, completing the constellation.