Why It Matters

SpaceX, the aerospace company founded and led by Elon Musk, terminated its long-running relationship with Squire Patton Boggs, ending a partnership that dated to 2011. The termination took effect June 30, according to lobbying disclosure records.

SpaceX continues to maintain a substantial federal lobbying operation as the company navigates billions of dollars in government contracts, satellite spectrum policy and federal regulation.

Squire Patton Boggs reported receiving $80,000 per quarter from SpaceX in recent disclosures. The termination removes one firm from a broader lobbying operation the aerospace and satellite company maintains in Washington.

SpaceX's relationship with Squire Patton Boggs began in 2011. The firm's work for SpaceX included general space launch issues, space and science budget matters, and budget and appropriations issues. Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and former Sen. John Breaux (D-LA) previously worked on the account before leaving Squire Patton Boggs in 2020.

SpaceX's federal contracting footprint helps explain the company's sustained interest in federal policy. The aerospace company has received approximately $22 billion in cumulative federal contracts across NASA, the Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office and Space Development Agency, according to an analysis by Fed-Spend. The analysis estimates that roughly $15 billion is associated with NASA and $7 billion with the Defense Department and Space Force.

Fed-Spend also reported that SpaceX had 52 active federal contracts worth a combined $11.8 billion in remaining value as of March.

The Space Force awarded SpaceX seven National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 2 missions worth $845.8 million in fiscal 2025 and another five missions worth $714 million in fiscal 2026. SpaceX's Phase 3 Lane 2 contract has an anticipated value of approximately $5.9 billion, while the overall procurement is expected to cover roughly 54 missions through fiscal 2029.

SpaceX's government work extends beyond national security launch contracting. NASA awarded the company $2.89 billion for the initial Human Landing System contract for Artemis III and another $1.15 billion for an upgraded lander and second crewed demonstration mission, bringing the program's SpaceX awards to approximately $4.04 billion.

Broader Context

SpaceX's lobbying termination comes as the company operates in an increasingly contested policy environment. Congressional attention has focused on the company's launch business, Starlink satellite internet service, spectrum holdings and role in federal telecommunications programs.

Much of that attention has centered on Starlink and federal broadband policy. The FCC initially awarded Starlink $885.5 million through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund before subsequently rejecting SpaceX's long-form application for the subsidies.

SpaceX has also argued that a $4.5 billion annual rural broadband subsidy program is unnecessary because satellite broadband can address connectivity gaps.

Spectrum policy has become another significant part of SpaceX's federal interests. The company has agreed to acquire AWS-4, H-block and unpaired AWS-3 spectrum assets from EchoStar and has sought to protect and expand the frequencies available for Starlink services.

SpaceX has also advocated for streamlined FAA launch licensing and policies governing orbital debris, satellite communications, space traffic coordination and spectrum access, giving the company significant interests before multiple federal agencies in addition to Congress.

The Bottom Line

SpaceX continues to operate a substantial federal lobbying operation despite ending its relationship with Squire Patton Boggs.

The company operates Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets for commercial and government missions, develops Starship as a reusable launch system, operates Dragon spacecraft for crew and cargo transportation and maintains the Starlink satellite network. Its growing portfolio of national security launch contracts and planned spectrum acquisitions gives the company significant interests in federal appropriations, telecommunications, defense and space policy.

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