Space Force taps SpaceX, ULA for first set of critical launches beyond FY27

WASHINGTON — The Space Force announced today that it has assigned the first seven future launches under its National Security Space Launch Program (NSSL) program for critical missions: five to SpaceX and two to United Launch Alliance (ULA).

NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches carry high-value, must-go payloads and/or those headed to orbits that are more difficult to achieve. The Space Force is using firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery contracts for these types of launches. Under this task order, SpaceX will receive $714 million and ULA $428 million, according to the announcement provided to reporters by Space Systems Command.

SpaceX’s missions include: USSF-206/WGS-12, USSF-155, NROL-86, USSF-149, and USSF-63.

USSF-206 will carry the twelfth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) encrypted military communication satellite, according to the press release. Space Systems Command did not specify the satellites being carried by USSF-155, -149 and -63, indicating that the payloads are classified.

ULA will launch NROL-88 and USSF-88/GPS IIIF-4; the latter carrying the fourth of the Global Positioning System III Follow-on (GPS IIIF) satellites designed to upgrade earlier GPS birds and bring new capabilities, including stronger encryption.

Both the of the NROL missions will carry classified payloads for the National Reconnaissance Office and will be launched in partnership with the spy-sat agency, according to the press release.

As the Space Force contracts for launches two years in advance, the assigned Phase 3 Lane 2 launches will loft at the earliest in fiscal 2027.

The service in April chose three vendors to compete for the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches: SpaceX, ULA and Blue Origin. Individual launches will be assigned to each firm between now and 2030. The Space Force said at the time that it anticipates 54 launches under Phase 3 Lane 2, with SpaceX expected to take the bulk of the launch load.

Blue Origin was assigned no launches under this first tasking, as the company’s New Glenn heavy-lift rocket has yet to pass its required second launch to obtain Space Force certification to carry the Lane 2 payloads. That certification launch is expected to take place in late October.