Launch Service Procurement
Space Force weighing new approach for selecting national security launch providers
An option under consideration for NSSL Phase 3 is to create “on ramps” to allow emerging launch providers to compete
Space Force considering strategy for procuring national security launch services
Space Force acquisition executive Frank Calvelli said he would be open to a different model than the current two-vendor approach for national security launch services procurement
Space Force sees room for more competitors in national security launch
Gen. John Raymond said the the Space Force might consider working with more than two launch companies as more players enter the industry
Space Force asks launch companies for insight on where the industry is going
The U.S. Space Force is trying to identify what launch companies might challenge SpaceX and United Launch Alliance when their current contracts are re-competed in 2024.
GAO’s annual review of DoD programs raises concerns on space launch, missile warning satellites
Technical challenges in the development of ULA's Vulcan rocket could prevent DoD from ending its reliance on the Russian-made RD-180 rocket engine by 2022 as required by Congress, said GAO.
Study calls on U.S. to change how it buys space technology, reduce congestion in low orbits
The Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress released a new report May 4 calling on the U.S. government to accelerate the procurement of commercial space technologies and manage growing congestion in low-Earth orbit.
Space Force to create ‘one-stop shop’ for launch procurement and operations
The U.S. Space Force is consolidating oversight of space launch activities under a two-star general who will be the deputy commander of Space Systems Command.
Space Force awards ULA, SpaceX contracts for four national security missions
ULA received $224. 2 million for two missions named USSF-112 and USSF-87. SpaceX got $159.7 million for USSF-36 and NROL-69.
Traditional launch services may not suit the needs of the future Space Force
How the Pentagon buys launch services in the future could change as the military considers using emerging technologies and services known as “space mobility and logistics.”
Senate defense appropriators take issue with agencies that buy launch services directly from providers
Senate defense appropriators criticized the practice by some agencies of procuring launch services directly from commercial providers.
