A mission contract called USSF-178 has been concluded 27 June Command Space Systems and is the third consecutive victory of SpaceX as part of the National Security Program of Space Launches (NSSL) Phase 3, line 1.
The mission will be on board the Weather System Follow-on spacecraft-Microwave Space Vehicle 2 (WSF-M2), as well as additional payload of experimental small satellites called Blaze-2.
WSF-M2 is the second and final satellite in the WSF-M program, following its predecessor WSF-M1, which SpaceX launched into orbit in April 2024 year.
Both WSF-M satellites were built by BAE Systems and are designed to operate in sun-synchronous orbit, providing global coverage for weather monitoring. Satellites are equipped with complex sensor arrays, capable of measuring wind vectors on the surface of the ocean — critically important data for assessing the intensity of tropical cyclones and tracking the development of storms. In addition to hurricane monitoring, satellites are also characterized by energetic charged particles in low Earth orbit, providing valuable space weather data, which affects the operation and communication of satellites.
The WSF-M constellation also has the capability to characterize sea ice, estimation of soil moisture and measurement of snow cover depth. An additional payload of BLAZE-2 will carry experimental small satellites, developed by various defense agencies.
The USSF-178 contract solidifies SpaceX's early dominance of the NSSL Phase program 3, securing all three first task orders, issued under Lane 1. Two previous contracts, total cost 733,5 a million dollars, were provided earlier this year to launch seven Space Agency missions and two National Intelligence Agency missions.
NSSL Phase Program 3 Lane 1 operates as a contract for indefinite delivery, an unspecified amount (IDIQ) — flexible procurement structure, which allows the government to issue mission orders as needed without reviewing the conditions for each mission. The total cost of the Lane contract 1 estimated at approximately 5,6 billion dollars over five years, with SpaceX competing alongside Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance (ULA) for separate missions.
Rocket Lab and Stoke Space were also selected as suppliers, but cannot yet compete for task orders, until their rockets are operational. The first phase of NSSL is different from previous phases in that, which allows for missions with less stringent assurance requirements. The program covers both level missions 0, that do not require state supervision, and level missions 3, which provide for more comprehensive assurance protocols for higher-risk payloads.
Source: https://spacenews.com