Rocket Lab USA and Stoke Space Join the Race for $5.6 Billion in Future Contracts
In a significant move to bolster its launch capabilities, the US Space Force has approved two new launch companies, Rocket Lab USA and Stoke Space, to vie for contracts totaling up to $5.6 billion over the next five years. This announcement was made by the Space Systems Command (SSC) on Thursday.
New Players in National Security Space Launch
Under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program, both Rocket Lab and Stoke have been awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. They join the ranks of established competitors like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance (ULA), who were added to the competitive pool in June of the previous year.
As part of their agreements, each company has received a $5 million task order to conduct initial capabilities assessments and formulate strategies for customized mission assurance. According to SSC, „tailored mission assurance” is a structured approach that addresses the government’s comprehensive understanding of launch vehicle risks and operational requirements.
Targeting Evolving Launch Demands
NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 focuses on launches to more accessible orbits, handling lighter payloads, and missions that are not categorized as critical. Providers in this lane face fewer certification requirements compared to those in NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2, needing only one successful launch instead of the two mandated for critical national security payloads.
“Our Lane 1 goal is to bring in new partners to increase capacity, resiliency, and speed,” stated Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, who oversees SSC’s Assured Access to Space program. “These new partners bring innovative approaches and increased competition to our mission area.”
On the Horizon: Future Launches and Competitions
Panzenhagen indicated that the Space Force aims to initiate NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 launches within this calendar year. In October, SpaceX was awarded the first Lane 1 task orders, valued at nearly $734 million, to undertake seven launches for the Space Development Agency and one for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Lt. Col. Douglas Downs, who leads the Space Launch Procurement unit at SSC, announced that the Space Force is set to release requests for new task orders “later this spring.” He also revealed that SSC is preparing “several more missions” to be contested in fiscal year 2026.
Overall, the Space Force envisions approximately 30 launches under NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 through June 2029.
Upcoming Launches for New Entrants
Before Rocket Lab and Stoke are eligible for forthcoming launch task orders, both companies must successfully complete an initial launch of their respective vehicles. Rocket Lab’s Neutron medium-lift rocket is slated for its inaugural flight from Launch Complex 3 in Wallops Island, Virginia, in the latter half of this year. Meanwhile, Stoke Space, a burgeoning startup founded in 2019 near Seattle, anticipates the first flight of its medium-lift Nova rocket within the same timeframe.
According to SSC, the opportunity for new launch providers to integrate their systems into the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 pool is expected to emerge in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.
