In a major development for the U.S. space and defence sectors, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA), and Blue Origin have been awarded rocket launch contracts worth a combined $13.5 billion by the U.S. Space Force. The agreements, which run through 2029, cover some of the most sensitive and complex satellite missions in the Pentagon’s portfolio.
The contracts fall under the Space Force’s flagship National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 “Lane 2” program, which is set to assign 54 missions via incremental task orders over the next several years. Lane 2 specifically targets high-risk, high-value missions requiring precision placement in a range of complex Earth orbits—tasks only top-tier U.S. launch providers are qualified to handle.
SpaceX emerged as the biggest winner, securing 28 missions worth $5.9 billion. Leveraging its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, the company will handle a majority of the missions in the program’s first year. Known for its high flight cadence and reliability, SpaceX continues to be the world’s most active launch provider, with a strong track record of military space operations.
United Launch Alliance (ULA)—a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin—was awarded 19 missions totaling $5.3 billion. The Pentagon recently certified ULA’s Vulcan rocket for national security missions, clearing the way after resolving technical issues in earlier test flights.
Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos, secured seven missions valued at $2.3 billion. These launches are slated for later in the timeline and will utilize the company’s New Glenn rocket, which made its debut launch in January. While less experienced than its competitors, Blue Origin’s inclusion signals growing confidence in its capabilities.
This latest phase of the NSSL program marks a significant reshaping of the U.S. military launch market. Once dominated exclusively by ULA, the inclusion of SpaceX and now Blue Origin underscores a broader diversification of trusted launch providers. It also highlights the increased competition—and innovation—driven by private space ventures.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that SpaceX will receive the lion’s share of missions in the first year, reflecting its unmatched launch rate and mature infrastructure.
These contract awards follow years of planning and vetting, representing the Department of Defense’s continued commitment to strengthening its presence in space while ensuring the secure and efficient delivery of strategic assets.
