The U.S. Space Force has added Rocket Lab USA and Stoke Space to the National Security Space Launch, or NSSL, Phase 3 Lane 1 contract as part of the first on-ramp process for the launch services procurement vehicle.
The service branch said Thursday Space Systems Command, or SSC, will award a $5 million firm-fixed-price task order to each company to perform an initial capabilities assessment and develop their approach to tailored mission assurance.
“With today’s award, the Space Force expanded our portfolio of launch systems able to deliver critical space capability. These new partners bring innovative approaches and increased competition to our mission area,” said Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, USSF program executive officer for Assured Access to Space. “Our Lane 1 goal is to bring in new partners to increase capacity, resiliency, and speed.”
In late October, the military branch sought proposals as part of the first on-ramp opportunity for the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.
Next On-Ramp Opportunity
SSC intends to conduct the next on-ramp to the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 IDIQ contract in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.
“Once Rocket Lab and Stoke Space complete their first successful launch, they will be eligible to compete for launch service task orders on Lane 1,” said Lt. Col. Douglas Downs, SSC’s materiel leader for space launch procurement.
“We will release Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for additional Lane 1 launch services later this spring, and we also have several more missions we will compete in FY26,” Downs added.
Initial NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 Contract Awardees
In June 2024, SSC selected Blue Origin, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance as initial awardees for the potential 10-year, $5.6 billion NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 contract to facilitate the deployment of national security payloads to their intended orbits.
SpaceX booked two Lane 1 launch service task orders in October under the NSSL program’s third phase.
