Private launch companies Rocket Lab and Stoke Space have been selected to compete for future U.S. national security space launches.
The two launch companies were awarded “National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 contracts” by the U.S. Space Force
The duo join SpaceX ULA certified
The Lane 1 awards are part of the Space Force’s launch plan that focuses on new or smaller companies that can grow into trusted launch partners for low Earth orbit
Related: Rocket Lab unveils plan to land Neutron rockets at sea, 1st launch in 2025
“With today’s award, the Space Force expanded our portfolio of launch systems able to deliver critical space capability,” Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, the Space Force’s program executive officer for assured access to space, said in a March 27 statement
Rocket Lab Neutron rocket Nova rocket
Each company will receive a $5 million task order to assess their capabilities and undergo a government risk review.
“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, Space Force’s materiel leader for space launch procurement. “We look forward to on-ramping more emerging companies over the next few years as their systems become ready.”
The Space Force’s NSSL program is part of ensuring the U.S. can reliably launch and test satellites and space infrastructure in times of peace and conflict, and stay ahead in space technology.
