The Space Force is seeking bids for the next phase of national security launches, solidifying its push to diversify its pool of military launch service providers. Space Systems Command announced the National Security Space Launch request for proposals on October 5.
After years of relying only on United Launch Alliance to fly its satellites, the Space Force in 2020 opened its launch program to competition and chose SpaceX to launch 40% of its missions between fiscal 2022 and 2027 and ULA to launch the remaining 60%.
The Phase 3 solicitation will cover the program’s next bulk buy. A two-lane approach will be used to procure launch services, with Lane 1 for commercial-like missions and small launches and Lane 2 reserved for more demanding missions.
The Space Force anticipates awarding contracts for Lane 1 next spring and Lane 2 next fall.
The Lane 2 landscape includes incumbents SpaceX and ULA as well as other companies developing launch vehicles that could be approved to fly national security missions in the coming years, including Blue Origin, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos.
