May 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. Space Force said on Friday it had awarded Elon Musk's SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract under a program designed to detect and track aerial targets from space.

The Advanced Space Moving Target Index (ASTI) program is designed to be a system that links a number of systems, combining space sensors, secure communication links and ground processing to enhance cooperation across the government's space industry base.

The Space Force said there are several companies within the program's supplier pool, including SpaceX, which plans an initial public offering and will issue several contracts next year.

She added in a statement, "This initial contract is expected to lead to the launch of a constellation of satellites by 2028, providing joint forces with an early capability to eliminate blurred points in operations."

SpaceX, which unveiled its plans for an initial public offering earlier this month, is targeting a valuation of more than $1.75 trillion.

This week, the Air Force awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to build a secure, high-speed satellite communications network to connect military sensors and weapons platforms globally.