Budget Battle Threatens Funding for National Security Space Launch Missions

The U.S. Space Systems Command has announced the details of its latest batch of launch contracts for national security missions, which will be shared between United Launch Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX. However, due to financial uncertainty on Capitol Hill, not all proposed missions may receive funding, including a demonstration of a nuclear thermal rocket. Among the 21 missions assigned to ULA and SpaceX, only eight are expected to be ordered under a continuing resolution scenario. The Phase 2 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions aim to protect U.S. assets in orbit and on the ground, as well as advance defense capabilities.