US Space Force Triples Rocket Launch Contract Value to $17 Billion
The US Space Force announced it is tripling the maximum value of one of its National Security Space Launch contracts to $17 billion, reflecting increased demand for military satellite launches. Overall, the service seeks to buy up to $30 billion in rocket launches.
On Friday, the US Space Force announced it was tripling the maximum value of one of its National Security Space Launch (NSSL) contracts to $17 billion. This expansion comes as the Pentagon signals rising demand for military satellite launches. The NSSL program has two lanes. Lane 1 covers more risk-tolerant missions, such as medium-lift launches with experimental payloads or rideshare missions for surveillance or data relay constellations. Lane 2 includes higher-priority strategic missions, like the largest and most expensive spy satellites or radiation-hardened communications satellites designed to survive a nuclear war.
Lane 1 is open to commercial launch providers without extensive certification and oversight from the Space Force. The Pentagon has now authorized $17 billion in launch procurement expenses for this lane. Lane 2 missions can only use rockets that have undergone the military's lengthy certification process. Currently, only SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, and United Launch Alliance's Vulcan are certified for Lane 2.
Space Systems Command originally selected SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin for Lane 1 in the Phase 3 round of the NSSL program in 2024. Subsequently, Rocket Lab, Stoke Space, and most recently Relativity Space and Impulse Space were added to the roster. The Space Force issues requests for bids on a number of Lane 1 missions each year and awards fixed-price task orders to winners. SpaceX has won the majority of task orders so far, while Blue Origin won its first earlier this year.
