United Launch Alliance wins multi-year competitive contract award

The U.S. Space Force announced on August 7 that United Launch Alliance (ULA; Centennial, Colo., U.S.) was awarded a firm, fixed-price, indefinite-delivery contract to launch 60% of the missions on its newest launch procurement contract. ULA says this contract resulted from a competitive award under the Space Force’s National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 procurement.

“ULA is honored to be selected as one of two launch providers in this procurement,” says Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO. “Vulcan Centaur is the right choice for critical national security space missions and was built to meet all of the requirements of our nation’s space launch needs. For decades, we have been a trusted partner to safely and securely deliver strategic national security space assets for our nation’s defense and this award shows the continued confidence of our customer in the commitment and dedication of our people to safeguard these missions by reliably launching our country’s most critical and challenging missions.”

The competitive process ensures the U.S. has continued assured access to space and supports a robust domestic national security industrial base. The award represents missions ordered in fiscal years 2020 through 2024 with launches occurring through 2027. The missions will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, and from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

“Our Atlas and Delta rockets have been the backbone of American space launch for decades and with Vulcan Centaur we continue to build on this progressive history of technology and advancement,” continues Bruno. “Vulcan Centaur provides higher performance and greater affordability while continuing to deliver our unmatched reliability and orbital precision that will continue to provide reliable, on-time access to space well into the future.”