The National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Program assures delivery of our nation’s most critical warfighting space assets as and where intended, including to the most complex orbital regimes. NSSL launches enable secure communications; missile warning; space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and positioning, navigation, and timing. Through an innovative phased acquisition strategy, AATS is effectively leveraging commercial partnership to drive down the cost of NSSL launches and diversifying service providers to increase launch capability and resiliency.

The Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) complements the NSSL program by providing orbital and suborbital launch solutions to DoD and other government agencies using commercial launch systems and excess ballistic missile assets. It provides multiple options to acquire dedicated space lift and rideshare services for developmental, test, and operational payloads.

AATS is responsible for managing the Nation’s two busiest federal spaceports from a strategy, policy, and guidance perspective. These two launch sites support over 90 percent of U.S. launch activity, including national security, civil, and commercial missions, and are managed by Space Launch Delta 45 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., and Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. Modernizing these spaceports to keep pace with rapidly advancing launch vehicle technologies, increasing launch cadences, and evolving mission assurance risks is a top priority for AATS. By overseeing acquisition of launch services for national security missions and supporting space launch operations at these key facilities, AATS plays a crucial role in maintaining U.S. space superiority and enabling critical military and intelligence operations that rely on space-based assets.

The Launch and Test Range System (LTRS) is the system of systems that consists of the instrumentation and architecture supporting launch and test activity at both the Eastern and Western Ranges. Instrumentation provides capability for tracking, telemetry, weather monitoring, communications, flight safety, and other systems supporting launch of national security space, civil, and commercial payloads to orbit. These systems also support testing and development of critical weapons systems such as Intercontinental and Sea Launched Ballistic Missiles, aircraft, and guided weapons test missions.

AATS is evaluating emerging commercial In-space Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities and exploring potential benefits for our Guardian warfighters and the Joint Force. AATS is prioritizing capabilities that enable sustained space maneuver, assure access to key orbital slots, and close mission gaps through satellite life extension.

In partnership with Air Force Research Lab and U.S. Transportation Command, AATS is exploring new ways to leverage US launch systems for terrestrial delivery of cargo in support of DoD operations around the globe across the competition continuum. In addition to launch systems, we are determining logistics infrastructure requirements, evaluating space-worthy cargo containers or pods, and identifying changes needed to our current contracts and operations to enable rapid & responsive launch.