Elon Musk’s company SpaceX has just won a $1.6 billion deal to launch 18 missions for the US Space Force. The contracts were issued under the National Security Space Launch program’s Phase 3 Lane 1 track, which is designed to streamline the procurement of low-risk satellite launches. These rockets will use the Falcon 9 system, launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and running until 2027.
According to Col. Eric Zarybnisky of the US Space Force, the speed of the acquisition process is a key factor. He said the new contracts allow for a two-month timeline from mission requirement to final award. That’s unheard of in government contracts and matches what military operators now demand in a fast-paced conflict.
The recent expansion of the Lane 1 contract ceiling from $5.6 billion to $17 billion reflects how much demand has grown. SpaceX’s win follows a similar $2.29 billion contract in May, where it was tasked with building a secure communications network for a low-Earth-orbit satellite system.
Rocket Lab, another commercial space company, also received a contract in late July to support missile defense programs with up to 18 launches. This marks a shift toward using commercial providers to meet urgent military needs in the space domain.