The US Space Force launched the Space Launch Complex 40 to Spacex Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canvart Space Force Station in Florida. Credit: Joshua Conty/US Space Force
Launch provider SpaceX, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance – a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin Space – performed billions of dollars in national security launch contracts on Friday.
Space system command, branch of space force responsible for command, development, acquisition, launch and logistics, the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Step 3 was estimated to have an estimated value of contracts – which covers about 54 missions – $ 13.7 billion. Spacex and Ula each are expected to receive $ 5 billion north of around 28 missions and 19 missions respectively. Blue Origin, which was not part of the NSSL Phase 2 Kohrt, is expected to secure about $ 2.4 billion for seven Mission Awards starting in the second year of the second year of the five -year order period (FY 2025 to FY 2029).
With NSSL Step 2 provider being in Spacex and Ula, space force is increasing for force missions, which launchs some of the most sensitive and valuable techniques of the army in the classroom. Mission is honored after two years, between FY 2027 and FY 2032.
“The US leads the world at the space launch, and through these NSSL Step 3 lane 2 contracts, we will ensure continuous access to this important domain,” said Major General Stephenie Puree said, “America leads the space launch for space acquisition and integration.
prepare
As a launch vehicle program launched by the Air Force in 1994, NSSL began to provide contracts for the next generation launch vehicles in 2018. To date, all the missions have retired both the Falcon 9 of SpaceX and Falcon Heavy, still in service, and the ULA’s delta IV and Atlas V.
,[NSSL] Not just a program. It is a strategic requirement that distributes significant space capabilities that our warfiers depend on fighting and winning, “said the head of space operation for the General Chance Saltzman, Space Force.
In Phase 1, the Air Force contracted Ula, Blue Origin and Northrop Gramman Innovation Systems (NGIS) to develop its respective launch vehicles: Vulcan Santor, New Glenn and Omega, which was canceled in 2020 by NGI. At that time, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy of SpaceX were already certified and active.
All four companies bid for phase 2 contracts, in which ULA and SpaceX jointly won $ 3.5 billion to launch about 30 missions from 2022 to 2022. Falcon Rockets has so far completed five phases 2 missions, including a handful of national security flights. In March, the space force certified the vulcan, which may soon allow the ULA to re -create NSSL rotation as this spring.
For Step 3, the plan of space force is planned to be even larger, more than doubling the number of missions when Phase 2 appears. This allowed it to be contracted in two “lanes”: lane 1 for “commercial-like” missions with limited requirements, and “most demand, least risk-to-to-to-awareness” lane 2. Lane 1 applicants require a successful launch only for certification.
Faith voting
In March, Rocket Lab and Stoke Space were declared as step 3 lane 1 providers, joining SpaceX, Blue Origin and ULAA. On Friday, the latter three firms got a new vote of confidence with their selection for the high demand lane 2.
,[Friday’s] The award is about three years of government and industry partnership, which is to enhance the flexibility and capacity of the launch, “Brigadier General Christin Panzenehin, the Executive Officer of the program for the Space Force’s Space Force’s Space Force said.” The result is assured of access to space for our national security missions, which increases the readiness of the army. ,
In January, Panjeenhagen said that the space force is aimed at launching the 18 phase 2 mission in 2025, including 11 with 11 vulcan. It was targeting mid -February for certification of the vehicle. Step 3 lane 1 mission can fly before the end of the year.
Panagenhagen also said that he hoped that New Glenn may have certified phase 3 lane 1, but there was no mention of the involvement of the vehicle especially in Lane 2. The large -scale rocket reached the orbit on its first NSSL certification flight in January, despite its re -projected lower stage loss, which was separated rather than an ocean game plan. The FAA shut down its investigation of the Test flight last week, setting up a platform for another new Glenn launch in the coming months.
editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on flight.
