The US Space Force's Space Systems Command announced Friday that in their latest contract competition, it has ordered all nine launches from SpaceX. This was in the bidding competition for the first batch of dozens of missions the military will buy in the next phase of national security launch contracts.
The nine launches are divided into two fixed-price "task orders" that Space
Systems Command opened up for bids earlier this year. One task order is
for seven launches of missile tracking and data relay satellites for the Space
Development Agency's constellation. The other is for two launches for the
National Reconnaissance Office, the US government's spy satellite
organization. SpaceX won both task orders for a combined value of $733.5
million.
The only two companies invited to bid on the contract were SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance.
The contracts they're reporting on appear to be the ones mentioned this June in that they use the same terminology of Phase and Lane.
This is the Space Force's first firm order for rocket launches in the so-called Phase 3 round of launch procurements. The Space Force has divided 79 missions for competition in the Phase 3 procurement into two classifications: Lane 1 and Lane 2.
The task orders announced Friday are the first awarded in Phase 3 Lane 1, which is for less demanding launch profiles into low-Earth orbit.
"We are excited to kick off our innovative NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 effort with two task orders that support critical NRO and SDA missions," said Lt. Col. Douglas Downs, Space Systems Command's material leader for space launch procurement. "Industry stepped up to the plate and delivered on this competition."
While the USSF has mentioned several more possible competitors for these Lane 1 launches, including Blue Origin's New Glenn, military officials require a rocket to complete at least one successful orbital launch to become qualified for a Lane 1 task order and New Glenn hasn't flown. While Vulcan has carried out two successful orbital test flights - they don't have the full certification for all USSF launches yet. That certification will be a requirement for the coming Lane 2 missions, which are going to be more challenging military missions, typically larger, more expensive payloads destined for higher orbits.
The Space Force is expected to soon select launch providers for Lane 2 missions. These launches will require the Space Force to certify the rockets, whereas the military is comfortable accepting a little more risk for the Lane 1 missions.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy are currently certified for national security launches.
File photo of a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, SLC-4E. Image credit: SpaceX
Most Excellent for SpaceX. They really are the only 'certified' game in town.
ReplyDeleteI wonder, though, will the Space Force tell California to suck it in regards to California's restrictions on SpaceX launching from California due to California politicians and bureaucrats hating Elon Musk for his political support of President Trump.