System · Space
Project Shadow
Apex-funded demonstration in which an 'Orbital Magazine' satellite deploys two prototype interceptors on orbit; launch slated for June 2026.
by Apex
- Milestones0
- Operators—
- Components—
- Programs—
- Capabilities1
- Inputs2
Apex-funded demonstration in which an 'Orbital Magazine' satellite deploys two prototype interceptors on orbit; launch slated for June 2026.
Timeline
No milestones recorded for Project Shadow yet. The timeline fills in as unveilings, tests, contracts and deliveries are sourced.
Capabilities1
Supply Chain Inputs2
- Solid rocket motors
Subsystem
US supply consolidated from six makers to two between 2000 and 2015 (Aerojet Rocketdyne, now L3Harris, and Orbital ATK, now Northrop Grumman). DoD calls the narrow supplier base a bottleneck and has funded new entrants (Anduril, X-Bow, Ursa Major) and sub-tier suppliers through DPA Title III, while Northrop and L3Harris expand capacity.
CriticalReported - Launch to low Earth orbit
Infrastructure
One provider dominates: SpaceX flew 165 of 325 orbital launches in 2025 (nearly 51%) and launched 85% of satellites (BryceTech). Alternatives are capacity-limited, so small-satellite constellations depend on SpaceX rideshare and manifest availability.
MediumReported
Materials, components and capacity this product depends on. Open an input to see who produces it and the controls on it.