US Space Force Wants to Add a Third Launch Provider for NSSL Phase 3

SpaceX launches a Falcon Heavy mission for the U.S. Space Force on Jan. 15, 2023. Photo: SpaceX

While U.S. Space Force thus far has split National Security Space Launch (NSSL) between SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA), the service plans to have one more provider by the end of NSSL Phase 3 to guarantee Space Force can reach high-priority orbits when needed.

“Based on industry feedback and the need to increase resiliency in the face of the pacing challenge from countries like China, we refined our strategy to fortify assured access to space by ensuring that the government has three launch providers capable of meeting all NSSL requirements by the end of Phase 3,” Col. Douglas Pentecost, the Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) deputy program executive officer for assured access to space, said in a July 14 SSC statement announcing the release of a second draft for the NSSL Phase 3 solicitation.

SSC plans to release the final Request for Proposals for NSSL Phase 3 by the end of the year.

“More than 20 companies attended an industry day held this past February and SSC received more than 1,900 comments to the first draft Request for Proposals released on 16 February 2023,” SSC said.

Comments from industry led to SSC’s new “dual-lane approach” for Phase 3.

Lane 1 of Phase 3 “is a multiple firm fixed price indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract open to all qualified bidders,” SSC said. “Lane 1 includes the opportunity for annual on-ramping for emerging providers and launch systems as they become available. Lane 1 covers procurements with a five-year base ordering period from FY25 to FY29 plus a five-year option. Lane 1 is tailored for more risk-tolerant space vehicles launching to commercially addressable orbits.”

By contrast, under Lane 2 of Phase 3, Space Force plans to award three firm fixed price, indefinite delivery requirement contracts “to the best value, next best value, and third best value launch service providers who meet all NSSL orbits and unique mission capabilities.”

“The contracts will have a five-year ordering period from FY25 to FY29,” SSC said. “Lane 2 will include missions that require full mission assurance with SSC-certified launch vehicles. Lane 2 payloads require launches to more stressing orbits, necessitating higher performance launch systems, and complex security and integration requirements. Lane 2 also includes annual Launch Service Support to cover NSS-unique costs.”

“While Lane 1 allows launch providers to support a subset of NSSL requirements and provides resiliency through diversity of launch providers and launch sites, Lane 2 ensures the government has three launch providers capable of meeting all NSSL requirements by the end of Phase 3,” stated Col. Chad Melone, Chief Launch Procurement and Integration Division. “This approach fortifies the nation’s assured access to space in the face of the pacing challenge and a growing and innovative commercial launch market, while incentivizing competition for our most demanding National Security Space systems,” he added.

Space Force plans to award the Lane 1 contract in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and Lane 2 contracts in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

“We must continue to outpace our adversaries and maintain the technological advantage we get as a nation by making our space architecture more resilient so it can be counted on during times of crisis and conflict,” Frank Calvelli, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, said in the July 14 SSC statement. “This is the essence behind the NSSL Phase 3 acquisition strategy.”

This story was first published by Via Satellite sister publication Via Satellite.