Space Systems Command (SSC) recently assigned twelve FY23 National Security Space (NSS) launch service missions under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract. Six missions were awarded to Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) for the Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 Tracking Layer (T1TL)-B, SDA T1TL-C, SDA T1TL-D, SDA T1TL-E, SDA T1TR-C, and the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-31. Six other missions were awarded to United Launch Alliance (ULA) for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)L-64 and NROL-83, the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) III-08, SDA T1TR-B, SDA T1TR-D, and USSF-114.
There are four SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer launches. SDA’s Transport Layer will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms. These are the second through fifth launches planned for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer. They will launch using Falcon 9 rockets from the Western range into polar orbit.
ULA and SpaceX continue to provide outstanding launch services with their reliable and innovative launch systems, and we are confident in their ability to maintain the unprecedented 100 percent program success for the NSSL missions assigned for launch in FY25.
Quote from: AndrewM on 09/29/2024 12:41 amThere was an industry day help for Lane 1 in August. It includes the NRO, SDA, and USSF planned contract awards & launches. https://sam.gov/opp/7111789df59149cd81596402c35e33d3/viewAs part of the industry day, the launch schedule for Tranche 1 through Tranche 5 was provided (page 30). It shows Tranche 1 Transport Layer launches starting in FY25 Q3 (April 2025) with three T1TL flights that quarter. Page 12 also identifies that the next NSSL mission for Falcon 9 is T1TL-B (page 12) so this should be the second flight now.
There was an industry day help for Lane 1 in August. It includes the NRO, SDA, and USSF planned contract awards & launches. https://sam.gov/opp/7111789df59149cd81596402c35e33d3/view
Still tracking to restart launches in the Spring.https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2024/11/20/tournear-majority-of-dod-systems-could-use-sda-acquisition-approach/ [Nov 20]QuoteDuring Tuesday’s virtual Mitchell forum, Tournear also said that SDA plans to launch its first Tranche 1 satellites over 10 months beginning next March or April, about six months behind schedule. Tranche 1 is to feature the first operational military satellites in the SDA Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture effort. Contracts for the Tranche 1, Transport Layer are York Space Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, while L3Harris Technologies is developing missile tracking satellites for the SDA Tranche 1, Tracking Layer.SDA wanted to begin Tranche 1 launches in September, but launch provider delays, vendor problems with building the satellites’ optical communication terminals, and production and National Security Agency certification issues with encryption devices led to the schedule slippage.
During Tuesday’s virtual Mitchell forum, Tournear also said that SDA plans to launch its first Tranche 1 satellites over 10 months beginning next March or April, about six months behind schedule. Tranche 1 is to feature the first operational military satellites in the SDA Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture effort. Contracts for the Tranche 1, Transport Layer are York Space Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, while L3Harris Technologies is developing missile tracking satellites for the SDA Tranche 1, Tracking Layer.SDA wanted to begin Tranche 1 launches in September, but launch provider delays, vendor problems with building the satellites’ optical communication terminals, and production and National Security Agency certification issues with encryption devices led to the schedule slippage.
Check back for updates as we approach the launch campaign. We’re looking forward to exciting content from Tranche 1 launch at Vandenberg Space Force Base this summer!#SemperCitius #Space #Defense #Satellites
