Pentagon selects SpaceX, Blue Origin, and ULA to compete for billions in contracts for national security satellite launches.
Blue Origin is entering the national security launch contract space for the first time, while SpaceX and ULA have been the primary players previously.The Department of Defense has selected Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance to compete in the $5.6 billion National Security Space Launch Phase 3 procurement program. According to a Pentagon announcement, the program will focus on launching critical national security payloads into space.
The US Space Force designed NSSL Phase 3 with the express purpose of fostering competition and reducing launch costs for national security payloads while ensuring reliable access to space. The NSSL Phase 3 program is structured into two “lanes.” Among these, Lane 1 is for less demanding launches to low Earth orbit. On the other hand, Lane 2 is kept for heavy-lift rockets, which can deliver payloads to nine reference orbits. These also include some of the most demanding national security missions.
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