Space Force raises rocket launch contract value cap to $17 billion

The U.S. Space Force announced on Friday an increase in the maximum value of its National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 contract. The ceiling for the contract has been raised from $5.6 billion to $17 billion in a move that triples its original capacity.

This expansion reflects the Pentagon's increased demand for military satellite launch services. The NSSL program allows the Space Force's Space Systems Command to select from a pool of launch providers for missions to deliver military satellites into orbit.

The NSSL program is structured into two lanes. Lane 1 covers more risk-tolerant missions, such as medium-lift launches with experimental payloads or rideshare missions for Pentagon surveillance and data relay constellations. Lane 2 is designated for higher-priority strategic missions, including the deployment of large and expensive spy satellites or hardened communication satellites intended to survive nuclear conflict.