The Pentagon has selected Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance for the new satellite launch competition under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 program. These companies will vie for $5.6 billion in contracts over five years, with at least 30 missions to be awarded from 2025 to 2029.
Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos, has yet to fly a national security mission but will compete with its New Glenn rocket set to debut in September. The Space Force divided the NSSL into “Lane 1” for less risky missions for new rockets and “Lane 2” for more challenging launches to help emerging companies compete against established providers.
Rocket Lab was not ready for this first tranche, but other emerging firms like Relativity Space, Firefly Aerospace, and ABL Space Systems may join Lane 1 next year. Blue Origin will receive $5 million for an initial capabilities assessment, while SpaceX and ULA will each receive $1.5 million.
The Pentagon’s space acquisition czar, Frank Calvelli, sees this dual-lane approach as a way to include the latest commercial innovation in launch programs. Lane 1 will handle more risk-tolerant missions, while Lane 2 will handle the most challenging heavy-lift launches. The companies for Lane 2 will be selected later this fall.
