US Space Force seeks up to $30 billion in rocket launch contracts
The US Space Force has tripled the maximum value of one of its National Security Space Launch contracts to $17 billion, citing rising demand for military satellite launches. The overall program could be worth up to $30 billion.
On Friday, the US Space Force announced it is tripling the ceiling of one of its National Security Space Launch (NSSL) contracts to $17 billion. The move comes as the Pentagon signals growing requirements for launching military satellites. The entire NSSL program may total up to $30 billion.
The NSSL Phase 3 contract is divided into two lanes. Lane 1 covers more risk-tolerant missions, such as medium-lift launches with experimental payloads or rideshare missions for Pentagon surveillance and data relay constellations. Lane 2 involves higher-priority strategic missions, including the government's largest spy satellites or radiation-hardened communications satellites designed to survive a nuclear war.
Lane 1 is open to commercial providers without extensive certification from the Space Force. Lane 2 requires thorough military certification; currently only SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy and United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket are certified.
Space Systems Command originally selected SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin for Lane 1 in 2024. Later, Rocket Lab, Stoke Space, Relativity Space, and Impulse Space were added. The Space Force issues annual requests for a set number of Lane 1 missions and awards fixed-price task orders. To date, SpaceX has won the majority of Lane 1 task orders, and Blue Origin won its first earlier this year.
