Space Force asks launch companies for insight on where the industry is going

The U.S. Space Force is polling the space launch industry as it tries to identify what companies might challenge United Launch Alliance and SpaceX when their current contracts are re-competed in 2024.

“The government is identifying sources capable of providing NSSL-class launch services beginning in fiscal year 2025 and is requesting more detailed information on each provider’s capabilities, launch systems, to include when those capabilities will be available,” says a Jan. 27 request for information from the Space Systems Command’s launch enterprise. Responses are due Feb. 24.

NSSL, short for national security space launch, is a Space Force-run program that procures launch services for the U.S. military and intelligence agencies. In 2020 the Space Force awarded United Launch Alliance and SpaceX five-year contracts for NSSL Phase  2. ULA won 60% and SpaceX 40% of approximately 30 to 34 missions projected to be awarded by 2024. Only seven have been assigned to date.

Phase 3 of the NSSL program might be years away but the Space Force has to start the market research now given the long lead schedules in national security launches. Contracts are awarded at least two years before the target launch date and providers have to meet stringent “mission assurance” requirements set by the Space Force to reduce the risk of launch failures.