SpaceX alone is expected to receive nearly $6 billion for 28 launches.
Blue Origin, SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance (ULA) were all awarded a multi-billion-dollar national security space launch agreement by Space Systems Command on April 4th, running more than 50 SpaceFlights over the next four years.
“The robust and resilient space launch architecture is the foundation of both our economic prosperity and national security,” Chance Salzmann’s Space and Space Prime Minister said in a press release. “The launch of national security spaces is not just a programme, it is a strategic need to provide the critical space capabilities that fighters rely on to fight and win.”
The National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program is located in Part 2 (lane) of the third stage. It accounts for 54 of the 84 expected missions from 2025 to 2029, and is expected to be released in the 2030s.
Space Systems Command manages the Department of Defense’s $15 billion space acquisition budget and will work with the private industry to achieve national security goals.
SpaceX is expected to receive $5.9 billion on 28 of the total 54 launches in the lane, with the United Launch Alliance expected to win $5.4 billion on 19 of those launches. Blue Origin has been awarded $2.4 billion for seven missions a year later.
These missions will use SpaceX Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy Rockets, Vulcan Rocket from the United Launch Alliance, and the new Glen from Blue Origin. They will be launched from the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
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“Today’s awards have won nearly three years of government and industry partnerships, enhancing recovery and capacity for recovery,” Brigg said. General Christine Panzenhagen, executive officer of the Program for Guaranteed Access to Space. “The result is a guaranteed access to the space for national security missions, expanding military preparation.”
The exact launch allocation is expected to be announced this year.
“The United States is the world’s leading space launches and through these NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 contracts we will ensure continued access to this critical territory,” said Major General Stephen Purdy, Air Force’s Deputy Secretary for the acquisition and integration of the Air Force. “These awards strengthen our industrial base and enhance our ability to launch critical defense satellites while enhancing operational preparation.”
SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance already have important experience in bringing military payloads into orbit. The United Launch Alliance has launched 100 national security space missions.
Blue Origin’s new Glen will fly only once in January, with its second flight scheduled for late spring. The company notes that this is the third contract awarded and has not yet begun following the Phase 3 Lane 1 mission. The company said it is aware of the challenging demands that come with delivering valuable launch vehicles and is left to the task.
“It’s an honor and a great responsibility to team up with the US government to launch our country’s most important assets,” Jarrett Jones, senior vice president at Newglen, said in a press release. “Through this partnership, we look forward to providing many important national security priorities.”
