Space Systems Command (SSC) has announced the assignment of 21 launch service missions for the FY24 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract, 10 of which will be going to SpaceX. It follows the completion of the NSSL Mission Assignment Board’s assignment process for FY24 launch service awards. This is the fifth, and last, order year in the Phase 2 contract.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) received 11 missions, while SpaceX received 10. These missions are planned to launch over the next two to three years and focus on different mission areas.
“Over the five-year Phase 2 contract, we will have ordered a total of 48 missions, a significant increase over the 34 missions originally estimated leading up to Phase 2,” said Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, program executive officer, Assured Access to Space. “The increase in launch tempo is a clear reminder of how vital space-based capabilities are in providing our warfighters and our nation’s decision-makers with the information needed to stay ahead of and to deter adversarial forces.”
SpaceX is assigned 10 missions: SDA T1TL-F, SDA T1TR-A, GPS IIIF-1, NROL-77, SDA T1TR-E, GPS III-10, USSF-75, SDA T2TL-A, SDA T2TL-C, and USSF- 70.
The 11 missions assigned to ULA are: GPS III-9, NROL-73, NROL-56, STP-5, SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118, USSF-57, NROL-100, USSF-95, NROL-109, SDA T2TL-B, and USSF-25.
T1TL-F is the last mission of six Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer launches; T2TL-A, T2TL-B and T2TL-C are the first three Tranche 2 Transport Layer launches. SDA’s Transport Layer will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms. T1TR-A and T1TR-E are the last two SDA Tranche 1 Tracking Layer launches. SDA’s Tracking Layer will provide global indications, warning, tracking, and targeting of advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.
The GPS III-9 and GPS III-10 missions are the final projected GPS III missions. The GPS IIIF-1 is the first launch of the follow-on GPS III satellites. GPS Block IIIF introduces several improvements and novel capabilities compared to previous GPS satellite blocks. USSF-57 will launch the first of three Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared GEO (NGG) satellites. These satellites will deliver survivable, resilient missile warning, tracking, and defense in a highly contested and congested space domain, according to SSC.
“We maintain a close partnership with our mission customers and our domestic launch industry to protect our nation,” said Col. Chad Melone, SSC senior materiel leader, Mission Solutions Space Acquisition Delta. “Under our Phase 2 contract, ULA and SpaceX have been committed partners, and our combined team remains dedicated to delivery of critical assets to our warfighters as we complete this phase of the NSSL program and embark on NSSL Phase 3 starting in FY25.”
