The US Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA) 12 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions under the fiscal 2023 NSSL Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract. Each provider will launch six missions. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets will launch three Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer, one from Vandenberg for the SDA’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer, and one satellite for the “classified” USSF-31 mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida. ULA will use its Vulcan Centaur rockets for two National Reconnaissance Office missions, a Global Positioning System III launch, a “classified” USSF-114 mission, and two SDA Tranche 1 Tracking Layer launches. The NSSL aims to ensure launch-on-need for national security satellites.
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