Assured Access to Space – Spaceflight Now

Blue Origin halfway through 4-flight certification to allow launch of national security missions

December 13, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch company owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos launched two successful missions in 2025, including landing its first booster on its landing barge.

U.S. Space Force picks Blue Origin bid for expanding satellite processing at Cape Canaveral

October 9, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

This is the second award from the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Space Vehicle (SV) Processing Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) contract. Blue Origin will receive $78.25 million for the work.

SpaceX to launch 4 Falcon Heavy rockets as part of newest U.S. national security missions award

October 4, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command announced that SpaceX and ULA would launch five and two missions respectively as part of the latest round of National Security Space Launch contract assignments.

ULA launches Vulcan rocket on first Space Force mission

August 13, 2025 William Harwood

Equipped with four solid-fuel strap-on boosters for additional takeoff power, the 198-foot-tall Vulcan’s two methane-fueled BE-4 engines thundered to life at 8:56p.m. EDT, instantly propelling the rocket away from pad 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Launch preview: ULA to launch first national security mission on a Vulcan rocket

August 12, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission, dubbed USSF-106, will be the first Vulcan rocket launch since the vehicle was certified by the United States Space Force in late March. Liftoff from pad 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is schedule for 7:59 p.m. EDT (2359 UTC).

ULA begins stacking its 1st Vulcan rocket supporting a national security mission

July 3, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

This is the second time the rocket is being prepared for launch following a months long delay in certifying the launch vehicle. ULA hasn’t announced a specific launch date, but it’s expected sometime this summer.

U.S. Space Force, Lockheed Martin launch newest GPS satellite on SpaceX Falcon rocket

May 30, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission represented a short turnaround time for a national security mission, launching just three months after getting the call up from the government. Liftoff occurred at 1:37 p.m. EDT (1737 UTC).

Department of the Air Force issues draft documents for new SpaceX launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base

May 19, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The proposal would allow SpaceX to take over Space Launch Complex 6, United Launch Alliance’s former Delta 4 launch site, and convert it for use to launch both Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.

U.S. Space Force awards $13.7 billion in new national security launch contracts to Blue Origin, SpaceX and ULA

April 5, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The 54 national security missions will be awarded over the course of five years spanning FY25-FY29. The U.S. Space Force said missions are anticipated to fly from FY27-FY32.

ULA begins de-stacking Vulcan rocket, pivots to Atlas 5 launch of Amazon’s Kuiper satellites for first 2025 mission

February 7, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The change in manifest comes as the U.S. Space Force’s Assured Access to Space continues the certification process for the Vulcan rocket. United Launch Alliance will begin stacking an Atlas rocket in the coming weeks.