Emerging Rocketmakers: Rocket Lab and Stoke Space Set to Compete for Space Force Launches
In a significant move for the burgeoning space industry, the U.S. Space Force has extended a critical invitation to two emerging rocket manufacturers: Rocket Lab and Stoke Space. This announcement, made recently by service officials, marks an important chapter in the ongoing evolution of space launch capabilities, allowing these newcomers to compete with established giants like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance (ULA) for future military satellite missions.
The Details of the Greenlight
Both Rocket Lab and Stoke Space have been awarded task orders worth $5 million each. Their immediate goal? To conduct a thorough capabilities assessment and devise tailored mission assurance strategies. This initial step is crucial as it sets the stage for these companies to possibly bid on the highly coveted launch missions within the National Space Security Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 program. This phase serves as a key avenue for the Space Force to secure the launch of satellite missions, especially those deemed essential for national security.
A Gateway to Competitive Launches
The opportunity is significant; as part of the NSSL Phase 3, at least 30 missions are expected to be awarded between fiscal years 2025 and 2029, amounting to a total budget of approximately $5.6 billion. This ensures that, should they demonstrate readiness and successfully launch a rocket before the year ends, Rocket Lab and Stoke Space could join a select group of contractors for these lucrative government contracts.
As Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, the program executive officer for Assured Access to Space, noted: “With today’s award, the Space Force expanded our portfolio of launch systems able to deliver critical space capability.” Her statement highlights the strategic importance of expanding vendor diversity to enhance competition, resilience, and the speed of launch integrations.
The Structure of NSSL Phase 3
In 2023, the Space Force initiated a significant restructuring of the NSSL Phase 3 program, introducing two distinct lanes: Lane 1 for less-risky missions and Lane 2 for more complex challenges. This dual-lane approach aims to accelerate market entry for emerging rocketmakers like Rocket Lab and Stoke Space, thereby fostering innovation and driving launch costs down. However, so far, no new entrants have successfully cleared the bar set by the Space Force—a fact emphasized by the awarding of a notable $733.5 million contract to SpaceX for the first set of Lane 1 missions last year.
The Contenders: Rocket Lab and Stoke Space
Both Rocket Lab and Stoke Space are actively developing medium-lift vehicles that promise to add fresh capabilities to the launch landscape. Rocket Lab is gearing up to deploy its Neutron rocket, which aims to significantly increase payload capacity relative to its existing Electron rocket. On the other hand, Stoke Space is focused on its Nova rocket, designed to offer rapid reusability—a concept central to competing effectively in the burgeoning commercial and government launch markets.
Rocket Lab’s CEO, Peter Beck, has been optimistic about the company’s timeline, indicating readiness to launch the Neutron by the end of 2025. Despite some skepticism surrounding the company’s launch infrastructure readiness, this ambition puts them in a strong position for future bidding. Conversely, Stoke Space is carving its niche with a focus on sustainable space exploration and advanced reusability protocols.
Navigating Challenges and Expectations
The Space Force is well aware that bringing new entrants into the sector is a challenging endeavor, especially within the complicated realm of rocket science. In previous discussions, Brig. Gen. Panzenhagen has expressed realistic expectations regarding the timeline for new entries, acknowledging the inherent complexities of developing reliable launch systems. “Developing rockets, designing them, producing them, buying them is hard,” she remarked, emphasizing the time and effort required to refine these new technologies.
This understanding shapes the Space Force’s strategy moving forward, as they continue to seek innovative solutions from a broader array of partners. The gradual inclusion of companies like Rocket Lab and Stoke Space reflects an ongoing commitment to fostering a competitive environment in the aerospace industry, ensuring that the U.S. stays at the forefront of space exploration and national security capabilities.
The Road Ahead
With Rocket Lab and Stoke Space each paving their paths toward potential launch capabilities, the future of the U.S. launch landscape seems positioned for transformation. As they bring their innovative technologies to the table, the opportunity for fresh competition could herald a new era in the critical task of safeguarding vital national interests from above. The ongoing story of these rocketmakers serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of the aerospace industry and the ever-evolving interplay between established players and new entrants.
