The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., confirmed on Oct. 4 that it wants an extra launch provider beyond SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA), because the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program moves forward.
Lockheed Martin [LMT] and Boeing [BA] are a part of ULA.
SSC “intends to award three requirements contracts for launch services delivering multiple National Security Space (NSS) missions with annual ordering periods from Fiscal 12 months (FY) 2025 through FY 2029, comprising a portion of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program’s manifest that can be ordered during that period,” in response to a Performance Work Statement within the Oct. 4 solicitation for NSSL Phase 3, Lane 2. “If the federal government determines there are lower than three awardable offerors, the federal government may award lower than three contracts. The contractor shall have the aptitude to deliver not less than eight NSS launch services per 12 months.”
Industry proposals are due by Dec. 15. In a separate NSSL Phase 3, Lane 1 RFP on Oct. 4, SSC includes “annual on-ramping opportunities,” the command said. “These features were chosen to fortify assured access to space by strengthening the commercial base and increasing the provision of reliable space launches for NSSL programs in a constrained market.”
SSC said on Oct. 4 that it plans to award the Phase 3, Lane 1 contract next spring and the Phase 3, Lane 2 contracts in the autumn of next 12 months.
Comments from industry on NSSL led SSC to say in July that it would pursue a brand new “dual-lane approach” for Phase 3 (, July 14).
Lane 1 of Phase 3 “is a multiple firm fixed price indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract open to all qualified bidders,” SSC has said. “Lane 1 includes the chance for annual on-ramping for emerging providers and launch systems as they grow to be available. Lane 1 covers procurements with a five-year base ordering period from FY25 to FY29 plus a five-year option. Lane 1 is tailored for more risk-tolerant space vehicles launching to commercially addressable orbits.”
Against this, under Lane 2 of Phase 3, Space Force is planning to award three firm fixed price, indefinite delivery requirement contracts “to the most effective value, next best value, and third best value launch service providers who meet all NSSL orbits and unique mission capabilities.”
“Our Phase 3 strategy provides maximum opportunity for emerging and experienced launch service providers alike to take part in the NSSL program and supply our nation with probably the most robust launch capability we’ve got ever possessed,” Col. Douglas Pentecost, SSC’s assured access to space deputy program executive officer, said in an Oct. 4 SSC statement. “By the top of the Phase 3 we may have not less than three providers fully able to meeting all NSSL requirements, in addition to a full complement of launch service providers using systems designed for more risk-tolerant space vehicles launching to traditionally business orbits.”
In July, Frank Calvelli, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, said that the guts of the “dual-lane” Phase 3 NSSL strategy is making the U.S. “space architecture more resilient so it could be counted on during times of crisis and conflict.”
Delays within the test flight certification of the ULA Vulcan rocket’s Centaur V upper stage won’t lead to any extra launches for SpaceX in Phase 2, Pentecost said last month (, Sept. 8).
“Within the event of schedule delays, the federal government will assess the situation and determine a path forward with the Launch Service Provider,” Pentecost said. “The Phase 2 contract includes mechanisms used to take care of schedule delays attributable to either the contractor or the federal government.”
In June, SSC assigned 12 NSSL missions to SpaceX and ULA–six for every provider–under the fiscal 2023 NSSL Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract (, June 8).