As part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, the Pentagon has awarded contracts worth a combined $5.6 billion to three aerospace companies: Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance (ULA).
The goal of this project is to provide space access that is both economical and trustworthy for payloads deemed essential to national security, with Phase 2 awarding contracts that included 21 flights with SpaceX, receiving around $2.5 billion and ULA obtaining about $3.1 billion for 26 missions, according to BNN.
ULA intends to use the forthcoming Vulcan rocket; however, given the delays in Vulcan's development, first launches could still employ the Atlas V. For their designated missions, SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets will be launched. Both the Eastern Range in Florida and the Western Range in California are scheduled for launch operations according to Spaceflight Now.
A nuclear thermal propulsion rocket for DARPA's Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO), slated for flight in 2027, will be developed by Blue Origin as part of the Jeff Bezos company's contract. According to GeekWire, the DRACO mission's goal is to demonstrate cutting-edge propulsion technology that has the potential to greatly increase space flight efficiency.
The Pentagon's NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program investment in Blue Origin, SpaceX, and ULA is a significant step toward assuring stable and reliable launch capabilities necessary for vital national security missions. To achieve these strategic goals, the project makes use of both existing and developing rocket technology.
