spacetoday.net: Blue Origin, SpaceX, ULA win military launch contracts

Posted: Sun, Jun 16, 2024, 10:17 AM ET (1417 GMT)
Blue Origin New Glenn (Blue Origin)

Blue Origin has secured a place in the national security space launch market with a contract Thursday. The company, along with SpaceX and ULA, won National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 launch contracts Thursday that are worth up to a combined $5.6 billion over five years. The three companies will compete for orders over the contract period in fiscal years 2025 through 2029, with at least 30 Lane 1 missions expected. The three companies were the only ones that met the criteria for less-demanding Lane 1 missions, although there will be on-ramps annually starting in fiscal year 2025 to bring new companies onto the contract. The Phase 3 contract is a big win for Blue Origin, marking the first time it has been selected to launch sensitive national security satellites.