WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force on Oct. 30 opened the bidding process for emerging space launch providers to compete for national security missions under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program.
The new request for proposals is part of an “on ramp” strategy designed to allow new entrants to vie for contracts alongside SpaceX, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance (ULA).
The Lane 1 program, structured as an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, is projected at $5.6 billion over five years, allowing the Space Force to issue individual task orders to qualified providers.
SpaceX earlier this month won the first round of Lane 1 task orders worth $733.5 million.
For the current on-ramp, prospective providers must demonstrate readiness for a first launch by December 2025, with formal proposals due this year by December 13 and awards expected by Spring 2025.
This on-ramp opportunity is critical for fostering competition and ensuring ensuring reliable access to space for national security operations, said Col. Douglas Pentecost, deputy program executive officer for Assured Access to Space at Space Systems Command.
“Emerging launch service providers are able to on-ramp each year to the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 contract when their launch systems are ready giving us more diversity and competition,” said Pentecost.
Among the potential new entrants, Rocket Lab stands out with its Neutron launch vehicle, anticipated to be ready for its first flight by mid-2025. The company recently achieved a milestone by completing tests on its Neutron engine. Relativity Space, another potential contender, indicated that its new vehicle might not be ready until 2026, which could delay its eligibility.
The NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program aims to conduct at least 30 missions during the initial five-year period, spanning fiscal years 2025 to 2029. With a potential five-year extension, the contract could run through 2034, providing a long runway for new entrants to integrate and demonstrate capabilities.
