Big news from the space race: Rocket Lab (RKLB) has just been picked by the U.S. Space Force to compete for some of the most high-priority national security missions under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program. And this isn’t just any contract—this one could be worth up to $5.6 billion! The deal is locked in through June 2029, with an option to extend for another five years. Talk about long-term potential!
As part of the NSSL program, Rocket Lab will be tasked with delivering National Security Space (NSS) payloads to their intended orbits. A minimum of 30 missions are on the table, and Rocket Lab is one of only five firms selected for this prestigious contract. Joining Rocket Lab in this new phase is Stoke Space, which was also tapped for the program. But the competition is fierce—Rocket Lab is now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some major players like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance (ULA), all of whom were added to the program last year.
So, what’s the game plan? Rocket Lab plans to use its Neutron rocket for these missions. The Neutron is no small player—this reusable 13-ton rocket can carry payloads up to 13,000 kg. Not only is it a powerhouse, but Rocket Lab is gearing up for Neutron’s first launch in the second half of this year. If all goes well and the launch is successful, Rocket Lab will be in the running for even more individual task orders under the NSSL program.For now, Rocket Lab and Stoke Space are each receiving a $5 million task order to perform capabilities demonstrations. A little warm-up before the big show! This is huge for Rocket Lab and the space industry. If successful, the company could be a key player in U.S. national security space missions for years to come.
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