Space Systems Command (SSC) has announced the assignment of 21 launch service missions for the FY24 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract following completion of the NSSL Mission Assignment Board’s assignment process for FY24 launch service awards. This is the fifth, and last, order year in thePhase 2 contract.United Launch Alliance (ULA) received 11 mission assignments and Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) received 10. These Order Year 5 (OY5) missions are scheduled to launch over the next two to three years and focus on a variety of mission areas.
The 10 missions assigned to Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) are: SDA T1TL-F, SDA T1TR-A, GPS IIIF-1, NROL-77, SDA T1TR-E, GPS III-10, USSF-75, SDA T2TL-A, SDA T2TL-C, and USSF-70.
T1TL-F is the last mission of six Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer launches
SES-STA-INTR2025-02681 [May 23]QuoteKongsberg Satellite Services AS (“KSAT”) provides this information pursuant to Section 25.120 of the Commission’s rules1 to supplement its request for a 180-day special temporary authorization (“STA”) for its earth station in Fairbanks, Alaska (“Station”) in order to support launch and early orbit-phase operations (“LEOPs”) of USPWSA-T1TL satellites supplied by Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Satellites”). [...]The Satellites will be launched in two batches, 21 satellites per launch, with the first launch expected to occur no earlier than August 13, 2025. The second launch may also occur within the 180-day STA period. The requested STA is expected to cover LEOPs for the two satellite launches. LEOPs for the Satellites is expected to take 90 to 120 days post-launch. The Satellites will be in a 1,000 km circular non-geostationary orbit, inclined at 81.3 degrees.
Kongsberg Satellite Services AS (“KSAT”) provides this information pursuant to Section 25.120 of the Commission’s rules1 to supplement its request for a 180-day special temporary authorization (“STA”) for its earth station in Fairbanks, Alaska (“Station”) in order to support launch and early orbit-phase operations (“LEOPs”) of USPWSA-T1TL satellites supplied by Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Satellites”). [...]The Satellites will be launched in two batches, 21 satellites per launch, with the first launch expected to occur no earlier than August 13, 2025. The second launch may also occur within the 180-day STA period. The requested STA is expected to cover LEOPs for the two satellite launches. LEOPs for the Satellites is expected to take 90 to 120 days post-launch. The Satellites will be in a 1,000 km circular non-geostationary orbit, inclined at 81.3 degrees.
Terran Orbital Corporation, a leading manufacturer of small satellites primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries, today announced the successful delivery of all 42 satellite bus platforms for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Tranche 1 program. These spacecraft help form a resilient, low-latency communications network in low Earth orbit, designed to deliver secure data connectivity to warfighters across the globe.“Completing delivery of all satellite buses for the SDA’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer marks a major achievement for Terran Orbital and a key milestone in our work with Lockheed Martin,” said Peter Krauss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Terran Orbital.“Our team’s relentless dedication and technical excellence have been on full display throughout this program. With Lockheed Martin and the Space Development Agency, we are helping to develop a secure and resilient space communications architecture that will enhance national security and strengthen allied operations around the world.”The inaugural launch of the Tranche 1 Transport and Tracking satellite constellations began Sept. 10 with the first 21 data transport satellites. Nine additional launches are expected to occur at a pace of approximately one per month, continuing until the entire constellation is fully deployed and operational in orbit in 2026.
Tranche 1 launches will continue with an approximate cadence of one launch per month for the next nine months, using the NSSL launch providers, until the full space vehicle constellation is on orbit.
This award further expands Lockheed Martin's support of the SDA's Tracking Layer and Transport Layer programs under the PWSA. With this award, Lockheed Martin is on contract with SDA for 124 space vehicles. In October, Lockheed Martin launched 21 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites, with 21 more in production to support SDA's Transport Layer program.
