# Space Force Awards Commercial Sensing Contract

On November 5, 2026, AST SpaceMobile announced that it will support STR, the prime contractor, on a U.S. Space Force contract to advance space-based sensing through commercially developed technology for national security applications. The effort is part of a program evaluating commercial innovation; the announcement disclosed no contract value, contract number, performance schedule, or specific procurement requirements. It is a contract award, not an open solicitation, but it signals USSF interest in commercial dual-use space capabilities.

- STR is the prime contractor and AST SpaceMobile is supporting the effort; the contract’s scope and funding details were not disclosed.
- Companies developing spacecraft, sensing systems, or onboard processing may find potential teaming or follow-on opportunities as the government evaluates commercial capabilities.
- Procurement and business-development teams should treat the announcement as market intelligence rather than an active bid opportunity; no solicitation or proposal deadline was identified.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** November 05, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Space Force (USSF)

### Vendors
- STR (prime contractor)
- AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (subcontractor)

### Key Quotes
> Our experience deploying phased arrays in low Earth orbit, combined with deep engineering expertise and technology supported by more than 3,900 patent and patent-pending claims, demonstrates the potential of our platform to support commercial applications and the technology-development activities being evaluated under this contract.
> — Chris Ivory, Chief Executive Officer of AST SpaceMobile Defense

### Sources
- [AST SpaceMobile Awarded U.S. Space Force Contract Through STR to Advance Space-Based Sensing Capabilities](https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/ast-spacemobile-awarded-u-space-142500248.html) - Yahoo Finance UK
- [AST SpaceMobile awarded U.S. Space Force contract - TipRanks.com](https://www.tipranks.com/news/the-fly/ast-spacemobile-awarded-u-s-space-force-contract-thefly-news) - TipRanks
- [Another new contract for $ASTS from Space Force.
https://t.co/00lI8uZm0d](https://x.com/ThinAirTrading/status/2118349565166604326) - twitter-defense