While the number of launches contracted to Blue Origin is small, the award represents a vote of confidence for the company founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos.
With that thumbs up from Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Assured Access to Space program office in hand, ULA now is the second fully certified launch provider, along with SpaceX, cleared under the Space Force's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program.
The solution starts with an outstanding portfolio of Challenger and Global aircraft, recognized as the world’s top-performing business jets.
Service leaders see the launch vehicle as a future competitor to SpaceX's Falcon series rockets that currently have a lock on the most critical launches under the Defense Department's National Security Space Launch program.
Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, chief of the Space Force’s Space Systems Command, stated that the service will not move forward with awards for the newest round of the National Security Space Launch program until Congress approves the fiscal 2025 budget.
Should Vulcan get the Space Force go-ahead, both planned NSSL missions are expected to fly by the end of the year as planned.
The OSP-4 contract vehicle was designed by the Space Force to allow both mature launch providers and promising new companies — that is, those judged as about a year away from launch capability — to vie for individual task orders for missions that don't require services under the more critical National Space Security Launch program.
The jet-powered transport’s speed, survivability and multi-mission agility position it as a viable option to the C-130 for the US and NATO allies.
ULA CEO Tory Bruno explained that Air Force space acquisition czar Frank Calvelli asked Lockheed Martin and Boeing to create an independent review team to "help" Vulcan production rates and launch site readiness remain on track.
The planned launches, which will take place starting in FY26, include sending a second SILENTBARKER watchdog satellite jointly developed by the service and the National Reconnaissance Office to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO).
Interested companies have until Dec. 15 to respond to the service's dual requests for proposals: one for the critical, high-dollar NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches; and the other for Lane 1 small launches.
While Space Systems Command hasn't publicly expressed concerns, outside observers point out that there is a real possibility that only Elon Musk's SpaceX will be able to undertake National Security Space Launches in the next few years.
It’s about improving existing platforms with autonomy, and applying AI, edge computing, quantum encryption, and sensor fusion.
"We developed an acquisition strategy consisting of a dual-lane approach that provides access to diverse commercially available systems," said Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, Space Force's acquisition lead for space launch.
"Key for us is allowing on-ramps, allowing for some smaller launches to have a chance," a senior Space Force official told Breaking Defense, in order to avoid billion-dollar "Titan-era prices."
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond said should a year-long continuing resolution come to pass, the disruption for sat launches would "ripple" for years.
"Hopefully we'll be all right and they (ULA) won't have any additional scheduled steps. But I think the strategy has actually been demonstrated to be a good thing," Air Force Frank Kendall says.