The Space Force has announced its final launch orders for fiscal year 2024 under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. United Launch Alliance (ULA) has been awarded 11 missions, while SpaceX will carry out 10 missions, according to Space Systems Command (SSC).
One of the notable planned launches is the second SILENTBARKER watchdog satellite, a joint development by the Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. This satellite will be placed in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO).
These launch orders mark the end of the five-year NSSL Phase 2 program, in which ULA and SpaceX were the sole providers competing for significant funding. The Space Force received $1 billion from Congress in FY23 for NSSL and has requested $2.1 billion for FY24.
Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, the program executive officer for assured access to space at SSC, emphasized the increase in launch tempo. She stated that “The increase in launch tempo is a clear reminder of how vital space-based capabilities are in providing our warfighters and our nation’s decision-makers with the information needed to stay ahead of and to deter adversarial forces.”
The launch orders encompass a range of missions, from National Reconnaissance Office satellites and Global Positioning System satellites to low Earth orbit satellites for the Space Development Agency. Additionally, the first SSC Missile Track Custody prototype satellite is included in this order. However, the actual launches won’t begin until FY26 due to SSC’s two-year planning cycle.
ULA’s NSSL Phase 2 launches will include SILENTBARKER2/NROL-118 and two more NRO satellites. The company will also launch the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which aims to test a nuclear thermal rocket for on-orbit operations.
SpaceX’s planned launches consist of the USSF-57 mission, which will deploy the first of three Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared satellites to GEO.
Looking ahead, SSC intends to select three providers for the next set of critical launches under the NSSL Phase 3 program. ULA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin are expected to compete for these launches, as well as commercial firms offering small and medium launch services for lower risk missions.
