The US Space Force is conducting a survey of the space launch sector to see who may challenge United Launch Alliance and SpaceX when their existing contracts expire in 2024. The National Security Space Launch (NSSL) initiative, which is operated by the Space Force, acquires launching capabilities for the US military and intelligence organizations. The Space Force granted five-year contracts for NSSL Phase 2 to United Launch Alliance and SpaceX in 2020. Phase 3 of the NSSL program may be years away, but given the long lead times in national security launches, the Space Force must begin market research immediately. The Space Force is also looking for firms to suggest technical, acquisition, or contracting options to reduce the usual 24-month mission integration timetable to 12 months or less.
Source: https://spacenews.com/space-force-asks-launch-companies-for-insight-on-where-the-industry-is-going/
