United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan rocket is poised to undertake its inaugural military space launch on August 12, 2023. The mission, pending final range approval, will lift off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying crucial satellites for the United States Space Force, destined for geosynchronous orbit approximately 22,000 miles above Earth.
This launch marks a significant milestone for ULA, a key launch provider for the U.S. Department of Defense, which has been developing the Vulcan rocket since 2014. The Vulcan rocket is set to replace ULA’s long-serving Atlas V, which has been a cornerstone of military launches for years. Following two successful demonstration missions last year, the Vulcan rocket secured its military certification from the Space Force in March 2023.
Competition and Funding Landscape
ULA and SpaceX are currently the only companies with rockets certified to conduct National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions. Previously, ULA was the exclusive provider of military launch services until SpaceX’s Falcon 9 received certification. In 2020, SpaceX captured 40% of the NSSL missions scheduled from fiscal years 2022 to 2027, while ULA retained 60%.
In April 2023, the Space Force awarded a substantial contract valued at $13.5 billion to SpaceX, ULA, and newcomer Blue Origin for missions planned between fiscal years 2027 and 2032. SpaceX will receive $5.9 billion for 28 missions, ULA will obtain $5.3 billion for 19 launches, and Blue Origin will secure $2.3 billion for seven missions.
The USSF-106 Mission and Its Implications
The upcoming mission, designated USSF-106, was initially set to launch in 2022 but faced delays and has now been rescheduled as a Vulcan mission in 2023. The satellites onboard have been grounded for two years due to these setbacks. A noteworthy component of this mission is the experimental spacecraft known as the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3), developed by L3Harris.
NTS-3 aims to enhance the Space Force’s GPS capabilities and will serve as a testbed for new technologies. The project is spearheaded by the Air Force Research Laboratory in collaboration with Space Systems Command. Key features of NTS-3 include steerable beams for regional coverage and a reprogrammable payload capable of receiving upgrades while in orbit. Additionally, the satellite will incorporate protections against signal jamming.
Once successfully deployed into orbit, the Air Force Research Laboratory will evaluate these capabilities over a one-year period. This exploration will help determine how new satellite configurations can bolster the Space Force’s positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities. Insights gained may lead to enhancements in the Space Force’s GPS IIIF satellites, produced by Lockheed Martin, which are nearing initial production.
Moreover, the NTS-3 mission represents the Air Force Research Laboratory’s first major PNT demonstration in nearly fifty years. The last NTS satellite was launched in 1977, setting the stage for developments that became essential to the GPS program.
The upcoming launch not only signifies a technological advancement for the U.S. military but also reflects the evolving landscape of military space operations, where competition and innovation are increasingly critical.