EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) is increasing the nation’s missile tracking capability with two additional National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 launches awarded today.
The SDA-4 task order award provides two launches for the Space Development Agency (SDA), starting in third quarter Fiscal Year 2027, one each from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The launches will place dozens of missile tracking satellites built by Sierra Space into orbit to support the warfighter and bolster national defense capabilities. SSC awarded the SDA-4 mission to SpaceX for the total value of $178.5M.
“Delivery of national defense capabilities to the joint force is at the forefront of our mission and our dual-lane Phase 3 strategy ensures our ability to reliably deliver space capability to the warfighters when and where they need it,” said USSF Col. Matt Flahive, SSC’s system program director for Launch Acquisition. “Our Lane 1 contract affords us the flexibility to deliver satellites for our customers, like SDA, more easily and faster than ever before to all the orbits our satellites need to reach.”
SSC is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of War, working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations. For more information, visit ssc.spaceforce.mil and follow @USSF-SSC on LinkedIn.