The U.S. Space Force is significantly increasing its budget for rocket launches, tripling the maximum value of a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 contract to $17 billion. This expansion reflects the Pentagon's growing demand for military satellite launches.

The NSSL program, managed by Space Systems Command, allows the Space Force to select launch providers for various missions. It includes two lanes: Lane 1 for risk-tolerant missions like experimental payloads or rideshares, and Lane 2 for high-priority strategic missions involving large spy satellites or hardened communications systems. The recent $17 billion increase specifically applies to Lane 1.

Lane 1 is more accessible to commercial providers, with companies like SpaceX, ULA, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, Stoke Space, Relativity Space, and Impulse Space competing for contracts. Lane 2 has stricter certification requirements, currently limited to SpaceX's Falcon 9/Heavy and ULA's Vulcan. SpaceX has historically secured the majority of Lane 1 task orders.