Musk’s SpaceX Secures $733 Million Launch Contract from US Space Force
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has been awarded a $733 million contract for eight launches by the US Space Force.
The Space Force’s Space Systems Command issued Launch Service Task Orders (LSTOs) totaling $733,566,001 to SpaceX under the “National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1” initiative.
Brigadier General Kristin Panzenhagen, program executive officer for Assured Access to Space, emphasized the importance of maintaining capabilities during this era of great power competition. “The Phase 3 Lane 1 construct allows us to execute launch services more quickly for more risk-tolerant payloads, ensuring we can put additional capabilities into orbit swiftly to support national security,” he stated.
The award includes seven launches for the Space Development Agency and one for the National Reconnaissance Office, with launches scheduled to begin no earlier than 2026.
Lt. Col. Douglas Downs, SSC’s material leader for Space Launch Procurement, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “We are excited to kick off our innovative NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 effort with two task orders that support critical NRO and SDA missions. Our dual-lane strategy enables a streamlined process from mission acquisition to launch, allowing us to get our assets into orbit more quickly for the benefit of our warfighters.”
The Phase 3 Lane 1 award period spans from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2029, with an option for a five-year extension.
Space Systems Command is responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient warfighting capabilities to protect the nation’s strategic interests in space. With a space acquisition budget of $15.6 billion for the Department of Defense, SSC collaborates with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, and academic institutions.
