After a final Atlas V is ready to launch from Vandenberg SFB in November. Space Launch Complex-3 East is being modified for ULA's Vulcan rocket.
The U.S. Space Force has awarded a dozen launch contracts under the National Space Security Launch (NSS) Phase Two program, with United Launch Alliance and SpaceX splitting the missions, 75% of which will take place from Vandenberg SFB, California.
SpaceX was tapped for four Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) launches. The T1TL constellation, which includes 126 interconnected spacecraft, is designed to provide resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to all military platforms. The launches will take place from Vandenberg aboard Falcon 9 rockets.
In addition, the Space Force’s Space Systems Command, which oversees the NSSL program, awarded three launches for the SDA Tranche 1 Tracking Layer (T1TRK), a 14-satellite network to provide advanced warning, tracking and targeting of missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.
SpaceX was awarded one T1TRK launch aboard a Falcon 9, and ULA was tapped for two flights using its new Vulcan rocket. All will fly from Vandenberg as well.
Rounding out the SpaceX awards is the classified USSF-31 mission, which will fly from the Eastern Range.
ULA will take on the classified USSF-114, which will launch from Vandenberg, as well as two classified missions for the National Reconnaissance Office, NROL-64 from the Eastern Range and NROL-83 from the West.
ULA also will fly the GPS-III-8 mission, launching from Cape Canaveral.
ULA is in the early phases of converting Space Launch Complex-3 East (SLC-3E) at Vandenberg for Vulcan rocket launches. The company flew its final Atlas V mission from SLC-3E on Nov. 10, 2022.
Contract values for the 12 new awards were not immediately available. The Phase 2 contract is a firm fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract for launch service procurements supporting fiscal 2022-27 launches.
