The Us Space Force launches a Spacex Falcon 9 rocket from the Space Launch Complex 40 to the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Credit: Joshua Conti/US Space Force
The Spacex launch providers, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance – a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin Space – on Friday they triggered billions of dollars in national security launch contracts.
Space Systems Command, the branch of the spatial force responsible for development, acquisition, launch and logistics, has estimated the value of phase 3 contracts to launch space for national security (NSSL) – which cover about 54 missions – to $ 13.7 billion. Spacex and Ula should each receive $ 5 billion for about 28 missions and 19 missions each north respectively. Blue Origin, which was not part of the phase 2 NSSL cohort, should guarantee approximately $ 2.4 billion for seven mission prizes starting from the tax year 2026, the second year of a five -year period (FY 2025 at FY 2029).
With Blue Origin who unites the suppliers of NSSL Phase 2 Spacex and Ula, the space force is increasing the competition for the missions, which launch some of the most sensitive and precious technologies of the military in orbit. The missions are expected between FY 2027 and FY 2032, two years after their assignment.
“America guides the world in the launch of space and, through these NSSL Phase 3 contracts, we will ensure continuous access to this vital domain,” said the major General Stephen Purdy, assistant secretary of the US Air Force for the acquisition and integration of space.
Increase
Launched by the Air Force in 1994 as an advanced launch vehicle program, NSSL in 2018 began to assign contracts for next generation launch vehicles. To date, all the missions have been transported by Falcon 9 by Spacex and Falcon Heavy, still in service, and Delta IV and Atlas V of Ula, both retired.
“[NSSL] It is not just a program. It is a strategic necessity that offers the critical spatial skills on which they depend on which war fighters depend to fight and win, “said General Chance Saltzman, head of the space operations for the space force.
In phase 1, Air Force contracted Ula, Blue Origin and Northrop Groumman Innovation Systems (Ngis) to develop the respective launch vehicles: Vulcan Centaur, New Glenn and Omega, which Ngis canceled in 2020. At the time, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy of Spacex were already certified and active.
All four companies offer phase 2 contracts, with ULA and Spacex who have won $ 3.5 billion combined to launch about 30 missions from 2022 to 2026. Falcon Rockets have so far completed five phase 2 missions, including a handful of national security flights classified. The spatial force of March certified Vulcan, which could allow the classroom to return to the NSSL rotation as soon as this spring.
For phase 3, the spatial force plans to become even larger, more than doubling the number of missions on the Manifest of Phase 2. This has allowed him to assign contracts in two “lanes”: lane 1 for “commercial” missions with limited requirements and wool 2 for the most demanding and less tolerant payloads to the risk “. Candidates Corsia 1 require only one successful launch for certification.
Vote of confidence
In March, Rocket Lab and Stoke Space were announced as phase 3 lane 1 suppliers, joining Spacex, Blue Origin and Ula. On Friday, these last three companies received a renewed vote of trust with their selection for the most demanding lane.
“[Friday’s] The prize culminates almost three years of government and industrial partnership to increase the resilience and ability of the launch, “said Brigade General Kristin Panzenhagen, executive manager of the program for the access to the Space Force for the management of space.” The result is ensured access to space for our national security missions, which increases the readiness of the military “.
Panzenhagen in January said that the space force aims to launch 18 phase 2 missions in 2025, including 11 with Vulcan. He had targeted in mid -February for the vehicle certification. Phase 3 lane 1 missions could fly before the end of the year.
Panzenhagen also said that New Glenn was expected to be a phase 3 lane 1, but in particular it did not mention the inclusion of the vehicle in lane 2. The massif Rocket reached the orbit on its NSSL certification flight in January despite the loss of its reusable lower phase, which broke rather than the landing on an ocean barge as planned. La Faa closed her investigations on the trial flight last week, preparing the foundations for another New Glenn launch in the coming months.
Note of the editor: This story originally appeared on the flight.
