A new satellite network aims to spot faster, harder-to-track missile threats, but delays and rising costs pose challenges
Washington, 18 February 2026 – The future of U.S. missile-threat detection is moving closer to Earth. The United States is developing a large new network of satellites designed to detect and track advanced missile launches in real time. The system is meant to help the country respond more quickly to emerging threats, but progress has been slower and more expensive than originally planned.
The effort is being led by the U.S. Department of Defense, which says new missile technologies are making traditional warning systems less effective. In particular, hypersonic missiles, which can fly at extreme speeds and maneuver unpredictably, are much harder to track than older missile types.
Why a new system is needed
For decades, missile warning relied on satellites placed very far from Earth, about 22,000 miles above the planet in what is known as geosynchronous orbit. These satellites use infrared sensors to spot the heat from missile launches and estimate their paths.
However, newer missile systems developed by countries such as Russia and China can change direction mid-flight and travel at much higher speeds. This makes them harder to detect and track with older systems alone.
To address this, the Department of Defense began developing a new missile warning and tracking system built around hundreds of satellites operating much closer to Earth.
How the satellite constellation works
The new plan calls for a large group of 300 to 500 satellites in low Earth orbit. Flying closer to the planet allows these satellites to communicate faster, track objects more precisely, and share data more securely. In the coming years, the department also plans to add another layer of satellites in medium Earth orbit to further strengthen coverage.
Compared with older satellites, low-orbit systems are cheaper to build and launch. They can also be replaced or upgraded more easily, which is important as missile technology continues to evolve.
The United States has used satellites for missile warning for nearly 50 years, but this would be the first time it relies on such a large, interconnected network in low orbit for this mission.
Current progress and rising costs
Test satellites were launched in 2023 to see if the concept would work. The first group, meant to provide limited operational capability, began launching in September 2025. Each satellite is expected to operate for about five years before needing replacement.
The full program is projected to cost about $35 billion through fiscal year 2029. However, recent findings show that technical problems and supply chain issues are already pushing costs higher and slowing deployment.
In some cases, contractors underestimated how much testing and modification would be required to adapt existing technology for missile warning. One contractor’s costs for its first operational deployment rose by nearly $445 million, a 37 percent increase. Later deployment phases could add hundreds of millions more.
Why oversight matters
Experts say better technology readiness checks and more reliable cost estimates could help the Department of Defense manage risks and set more realistic timelines. Given how critical missile warning is to national security, delays or gaps in capability could have serious consequences.
As missile threats continue to grow more complex, the success of this satellite constellation will play a key role in how effectively the U.S. can detect and respond to potential attacks in the future.
