By Bethany Lee | 2025-05-01

The US Space Force (USSF) has officially chosen its team for the next era of space launches, awarding almost $14 billion total to SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Blue Origin for national security missions.

The USSF on April 4 announced three contract awards for National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 2: SpaceX received $5.9 billion to fly 28 missions, ULA $5.4 billion for 19 missions and Blue Origin $2.4 billion for seven missions.

The awards solidify the three companies' positions as the leading US private rocket providers and ensure government partnership until 2029.

The National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program originated in 1995 with the goal of ensuring government access to space through the acquisition of launch services from US companies for government spacelift missions such as military and intelligence satellites.

"America leads the world in space launch, and through these NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 contracts, we will ensure continued access to this vital domain," Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, said in a USSF press release.

Dual-lane acquisition for emerging players

In its third phase, the NSSL adopted a new strategy for launch contracts, splitting the awards into two different categories, or "lanes."

Lane 2 missions include the highest-risk, most complex operations and require providers to meet strict requirements, while Lane 1 missions launch to traditional commercial orbits and are generally more risk tolerant.

In addition to the three companies awarded Lane 2 contracts, launch providers Stoke Space and Rocket Lab won Lane 1 contracts in March. Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket and Stoke Space's Nova, both designed to be reusable rockets, are expected to complete their first launches this year.

By spreading the awards across two categories, the USSF hopes to provide more opportunities for emerging companies to participate in the program while still maintaining competition and reliability, Col. Douglas Pentecost, Assured Access to Space deputy program executive officer, said in the Phase 3 request for proposals.

Competition for USSF contracts

To fly national security missions in Lane 2, each contractor must use rockets certified through Space Systems Command. SpaceX has two certified rockets: Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy.

SpaceX's recent award marks a distinct turn from the USSF's reliance on ULA to an increasing share of launches for the Elon Musk-owned company.

In Phase 2, the government split launches between the two companies, with ULA receiving 60% of missions and SpaceX only 40%.

In Phase 3 the two switched, with SpaceX now receiving approximately 60% of missions. The difference may stem from SpaceX having a lower cost per mission than the other two providers do, or to delays from ULA on certifying the Vulcan rocket for national security missions.

"Winning 60% of the missions may sound generous, but the reality is that all SpaceX competitors combined cannot currently deliver the other 40%!" Musk posted on X.

After acting as the primary launch provider for the USSF the last few decades, ULA will use its recently certified Vulcan Centaur rocket for NSSL missions.

"We are proud that we have launched 100 national security space missions and honored to continue serving the nation with our new Vulcan rocket," said Tory Bruno, ULA's president, in a press release.

Blue Origin, the least experienced addition to the NSSL, plans to fly its New Glenn rocket, which launched its maiden flight in January and is expected to be certified later this year.