Summary: The U.S. Space Force’s latest National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 task order award targets delivery of additional space capability for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – The Acting Space Force Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) for Space Access is delivering additional launch capability for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) with a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 task order awarded to Blue Origin the afternoon of May 28, 2026.
The U.S. Space Force (USSF) and NRO remain committed partners with Blue Origin and will work with them on the New Glenn vehicle anomaly experienced during its integrated vehicle hot fire test yesterday evening.
“I am first and foremost grateful that all personnel are safe in the aftermath of the New Glenn rocket anomaly on Thursday evening,” said USSF Col Eric Zarybnisky, acting Space Force PAE for Space Access. “I’m additionally grateful to all the first responders and the Space Launch Delta 45 team who ensured public safety. This anomaly is a solemn reminder that the critical capability this community provides is rocket science and inherently challenging. The National Security Space Launch program will continue working closely with our Blue Origin partners to help identify the root cause and implement corrective actions.”
The task order awarded for the NRO Task Order-4 (NTO-4) provides one launch of a mission set for the NRO to be completed between fourth quarter CY 2027 and first quarter CY 2028 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla.
“The NRO is one of our valued partners in defense of our nation, and this contract provides an approach to reliably and swiftly deliver space capability to the warfighters when and where it is needed,” said USSF Lt. Col. Doug Downs, Space System Command’s (SSC) System Delta (SYD 80) system program manager for Space Launch Procurement. “Our Phase 3 Lane 1 program affords the best opportunity for our space vehicle customers to balance risk posture with effective solutions to provide the optimal level of mission success and value.”
Certification is not required for Lane 1 missions. To be awarded a Lane 1 mission, a launch service provider must have been onboarded to the Lane 1 Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) and achieved one successful flight and prior to being eligible to bid on Lane 1 missions. Presently, those providers eligible for Lane 1 missions include SpaceX, ULA and Blue Origin.
Space Systems Command 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.
-30-
For questions regarding the NSSL task order and Phase 3 please contact SSC Public Affairs at sscpamedia@spaceforce.mil.
For questions regarding the National Reconnaissance Office mission, contact NRO Public Affairs at media@nro.mil.
For questions regarding Cape Canaveral Space Force Station emergency response and recovery, please contact Space Launch Delta (SLD) 45 Public Affairs at 45swpa@us.af.mil.
For questions regarding Blue Origin, please contact Blue Origin at media@blueorigin.com.