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NASA Awards SpaceX Launch Services Contract for Starship

In a significant development, NASA has selected SpaceX of Starbase, Texas, to expand its existing launch services by adding Starship to the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy offerings. This modification comes under the NASA Launch Services (NLS) II contract, enhancing the range of commercial launch services available for NASA’s diverse missions.

Key Points About NLS II Contracts:

• Mission Scope: The NLS II contracts cover planetary, Earth-observing, exploration, and scientific satellite missions. These missions are classified as high-priority, with low to medium risk tolerance levels. They undergo thorough NASA technical oversight and mission assurance to ensure the highest chance of launch success.

• Contract Details: The NLS II contracts are multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity agreements. The ordering period extends through June 2030, with an overall performance duration until December 2032. An on-ramp provision allows new launch service providers to join the NLS II contract annually, opening opportunities for competition and future mission assignments.

Support Across NASA Directorates:

The NLS II contracts align with the objectives of NASA’s key directorates, including the Science Mission Directorate, Space Operations Mission Directorate, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, and Space Technology Mission Directorate. Besides serving NASA, these contracts enable the provision of launch services to other federal government agencies, promoting collaboration and expanding the reach of space exploration initiatives.

Management and Contact Information:

The NASA Launch Services Program Office, based at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, oversees the implementation of NLS II contracts. For detailed information about NASA’s programs and activities, visit the official NASA website: https://www.nasa.gov.

Inquiries can also be directed to the following contacts:

• Tiernan Doyle (202-358-1600 / tiernan.doyle@nasa.gov) or Joshua Finch (202-358-1100 / joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov) at NASA Headquarters, Washington.

• Patti Bielling (321-501-7575 / patricia.a.bielling@nasa.gov) at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

This recent decision to expand SpaceX’s launch services underscores NASA’s commitment to leveraging private sector capabilities and innovation to advance space exploration and scientific endeavors. With the inclusion of Starship in the NLS II contract, NASA is poised to further enhance its ability to execute a wide range of missions efficiently and effectively.