The US Space Force has announced a long-awaited launch contract for national security missions worth nearly $14 billion, splitting the award into two distinct lanes to expand availability of launch providers. The Lane 2 contract is designed for more critical payloads, such as those requiring direct inject to GEO, while the Lane 1 contract is more commercial-like.
According to Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space, the award marks nearly three years of partnership between government and industry to increase launch resiliency and capacity. The contract will be issued in batches of missions over a five-year period beginning in FY25.
SpaceX is expected to receive around 60% of the launches (28 missions), ULA 40% (19 launches), and Blue Origin seven missions. The Space Force anticipates awarding 54 launches, with the first projected integration of payloads into launches occurring from FY27-FY32.
The contract marks a significant milestone for SpaceX, which is in the process of bringing online its new rocket launch complex at Vandenberg Space Force Base. ULA has also begun converting its new Vulcan rocket pad, with plans to launch the first mission before the end of the year.
Blue Origin, the newest entrant to launching national security missions, expressed commitment to meeting heavy lift needs for US DoD and intelligence agency customers. However, SpaceX founder Elon Musk took a more critical tone, stating that while his company’s competitors may not currently deliver the same level of service, he hopes they succeed in the future.
The award is part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 program, designed to provide assured access to space for national security missions. The contract is expected to have a nominal two-year integration resulting in launches from FY27-FY32, although some payloads have previously faced significant delays caused by payload and not rocket issues.
Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/04/05/u-s-space-force-awards-13-7-billion-in-new-national-security-launch-contracts-to-blue-origin-spacex-and-ula