New Launch Providers For The US Military: Rocket Lab & Stoke Space Set To Take On National Security Missions

An announcement from the Space System Command (SSC) on 27 March 2025 unveiled Rocket Lab and Stoke Space as new launch providers for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. This announcement is ushering in a new phase of contracts for the US space industry.

The US Space System Command (SSC) To Rely On Rocket Lab and Stoke Space Launch Vehicles

For the first time since the start of the NSSL program, both Rocket Lab and Stoke Space have been selected to provide space launch services. These space firms will kick off their work with the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program, which will enter full motion this year.

According to the SCC, both firms will receive a $5 million task order for capability assessment. This funding will also help the firms “develop their approach to tailored mission assurance” to meet the government requirement.

Under the clause of this new contract from the SCC, Rocket Lab and Stoke Space will help launch national security payloads into orbit. This contract will run through the course of four years and two months, bringing it to an end by June 2029.

There is also an additional five-year ordering period under the clause of the contract for both firms. Both firms will provide the SCC with access to their launch vehicles for use on various US space defence missions.

Rocket Lab will provide their Neutron rocket, which will be ready by H2 2025, and it will be a 13-ton reusable medium-lift rocket. Stoke Space, on its part, will provide its reusable Nova rocket for use under the NSSL program.

Rocket Lab and Stoke Space Prepare For Work On The NSSL Program

Preparations to kick off work on this project by the two new entries on the NSSL program are already in progress. Lt. Col. Douglas Downs, SSC’s material leader for space launch procurement, has made a few comments about these firms.

Downs says that “once Rocket Lab and Stoke Space complete their first successful launch, they will be eligible to compete for launch services and task orders on Lane 1.” He adds that the SSC “will release Requests for Proposals for additional Lane 1 launch services later this spring.”

This Phase 3 Lane 1 will give both firms the opportunity for on-ramping of emerging launch providers and systems once available. More details on this contract, as well as coming launches under the NSSL program, will be available in the coming months.