Statement from: The U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Assured Access to Space (AATS) organization and their mission partners successfully supported the launch of the National Reconnaissance Office Launch (NROL)-145 mission on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket today at 5:29 a.m. from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
The NROL-145 launch service was procured by SSC’s National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program as one of the first two launch task orders on the Phase 3 Lane 1 Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This NSSL Task Order (NTO)-2 was awarded to SpaceX on October 18, 2024.
“This was our first Phase 3 launch, coming only months after establishing this new contract. The Lane 1 path is ideal for shorter, more responsive mission timelines in addition to being the ideal entry avenue for prospective NSSL providers,” said Col. Jim Horne, Launch Execution Senior Materiel Leader. AATS manages the NSSL program, which has 44 launches remaining under the Phase 2 contracts along with those recently acquired under this Phase 3 contract. The NSSL program continues a longstanding partnership with the NRO, going back decades, using launch vehicles such as the Titan, Atlas and Delta.
Assured Access to Space (AATS) executes the U.S. Space Force’s Core Competency of Space Mobility and Logistics. It secures reliable and responsive launch services to deploy the space-based capabilities needed by our Nation’s warfighters, intelligence professionals, decision makers, allies, and partners. Additionally, it operates and sustains resilient and ready launch and test infrastructure to project on-orbit warfighting capability through all phases of conflict and to expand US economic, technological, and scientific leadership. Furthermore, AATS delivers servicing, mobility, and logistics capabilities that operate in, from, and to the space domain.
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient war fighting capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion space acquisition budget for the DoD and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, and academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.