National Security Space Launch

Space Force taps SpaceX, ULA for first set of critical launches beyond FY27

SpaceX was assigned seven NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches under a contract worth $714 million; ULA two launches worth $428 million.

Amid Trump, Musk blowup, canceling SpaceX contracts could cripple DoD launch program

Elon Musk's SpaceX is already expected to conduct more than two dozen national security-related space launches over the next few years.

Northrop Grumman pumps $50M into Firefly for medium launch vehicle

"With a 16 metric ton to orbit capability, Eclipse is a sweet spot for programs like NSSL Lane 1 and a natural fit to launch proliferated constellations," said Firefly CEO Jason Kim.

Space Force awards first next-gen critical launch contracts to Blue Origin, SpaceX, ULA

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.

Space Force greenlights Rocket Lab, Stoke for future launches

Both companies were awarded indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contracts under the service's National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1.

ULA’s Vulcan rocket certified for national security launches

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.

Awaiting Space Force certification, ULA says future missions could aim to baffle Chinese watcher sats

ULA CEO Tory Bruno separately told reporters his firm identified a "manufacturing" error as the cause of an anomaly in its latest certification launch.

Space Force plans 18 NSSL launches in 2025, including on ULA’s Vulcan

Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Space Force acquisition leader for assured access to space, said her focus going forward is "resiliency" across her portfolio, which includes launch vehicles, range infrastructure and capacity, and base security.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket reaches orbit in first test flight

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.

Space Force launches for ULA’s Vulcan slip to next year

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.

FAA initiates review of commercial launch rules industry claims throttle innovation, new entrants

While Pentagon launches are not covered by FAA rules, a healthy and, importantly, diverse rocket industry base is important to the Space Force for keeping its launch costs down.

ULA’s Vulcan rocket makes second launch in quest to qualify for Space Force missions

Should Vulcan get the Space Force go-ahead, both planned NSSL missions are expected to fly by the end of the year as planned.

ULA now plans September launch to qualify Vulcan for Space Force missions

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.

NRO expects even lower National Security Space Launch costs starting in FY25

Troy Meink, NRO principal deputy director, explained that the decline in launch costs is one of two critical factors in allowing NRO to begin to diversify its on-orbit force structure to include both "large and small satellites" using multiple orbital domains.