U.S. Space Force Awards $14 Billion in National Security Launch Contracts to SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin

The contracts—firm fixed-price, indefinite-delivery arrangements—will span a five-year ordering period beginning in Fiscal Year 2025. Over that time, the Space Force expects to assign 54 high-stakes launches: 28 to SpaceX (approximately 60%), 19 to ULA (40%), and seven to newcomer Blue Origin.

Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space, described the milestone as the result of years of collaboration between government and industry. “Today’s award culminates nearly three years of partnership to increase launch resiliency and capacity,” she said. “The result is assured access to space for our national security missions, which increases the military’s readiness.”

While the missions are expected to launch between FY27 and FY32 due to a typical two-year integration process, historical trends suggest further delays could arise—often due to payload issues rather than the rockets themselves. For example, the USSF-52 mission, awarded to SpaceX in 2018, launched over three years late in December 2023. Similarly, ULA’s NROL-107/Silentbarker mission, expected in FY22, did not lift off until September 2023.

A Tale of Two Lanes

NSSL Phase 3 is divided into two procurement tracks: Lane 1 and Lane 2. Lane 1 focuses on lower-risk, commercial-style missions and is open to emerging launch providers with less rigorous certification requirements. SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin were all included in Lane 1 in 2024, and Rocket Lab and Stoke Space recently joined the ranks. So far, SpaceX is the only company to secure a Lane 1 task order, winning $734 million for seven Falcon 9 launches supporting the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer.

Lane 2, by contrast, involves more complex and mission-critical national security payloads, often requiring direct injections into higher orbits such as geosynchronous orbit (GEO). These missions demand greater precision, capability, and vertical integration infrastructure. Companies also must be able to launch from both the Eastern and Western U.S. ranges.

To meet Lane 2 requirements, providers are upgrading or expanding launch facilities. SpaceX is refurbishing Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California to support vertical integration for its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. ULA is similarly repurposing SLC-3E at Vandenberg for its next-generation Vulcan rocket, complete with a vertical integration building.

ULA CEO Tory Bruno confirmed during a March media roundtable that propellant tank installations are complete and the Vulcan rocket is on track for its first Vandenberg launch later this year, contingent on payload readiness. “We are proud to have launched 100 national security space missions and honored to continue serving the nation with our new Vulcan rocket,” he said. “Vulcan is the right choice for critical national security missions.”

Blue Origin, a relative newcomer to national security launches, flew its first New Glenn mission in January and was recently cleared by the FAA for a second. Though it lacks a Vandenberg launch site today, the company plans to build one at SLC-9. “We’re honored to support additional national security missions and contribute to our nation’s assured access to space,” said CEO Dave Limp on social media, calling the contract a strong endorsement of New Glenn’s heavy-lift capabilities.

Despite the competitive nature of the selection, company leaders offered congratulations to one another in public posts—except SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who struck a more critical tone. “Winning 60 percent of the missions may sound generous, but the reality is that all SpaceX competitors combined cannot currently deliver the other 40 percent!” Musk wrote on his platform X. “I hope they succeed, but they aren’t there yet.”

By Azhar