SpaceX has been awarded contracts worth $733.6 million from the U.S. Space Force for eight launches under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program. The contracts include seven missions for the Space Development Agency (SDA) and one for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), with launches projected for 2026.
The NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program is designed to expedite launch services for risk-tolerant payloads, enhancing national security through rapid deployment of capabilities into orbit. Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen emphasized the importance of not leaving capability on the ground in an era of heightened global competition.
The SDA aims to build Tranche 2 of its Transport Layer, a constellation expected to include 300 to 500 satellites in low Earth orbit, facilitating low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide. SpaceX has previously launched missions to support this initiative.
The NRO's mission set will launch from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, with specific details still pending. Both task orders were awarded under an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract signed in June, which also includes Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance as primary vendors.
SpaceX has been active in 2024, having already completed 96 Falcon 9 missions, with a significant portion dedicated to expanding the Starlink internet network, which now comprises over 6,400 active satellites.