SpaceX prevails over ULA and wins military launch contracts worth $733 million

These missions require medium rockets or smaller rockets with a high launch frequency that match the performance of a larger launch vehicle. In June, the Space Force selected SpaceX, ULA and Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos' space company, to compete for Lane 1 launch contracts.

Military officials will add more companies to the pool of available launch providers for Lane 1 as their missiles mature. These companies may include Rocket Lab, Firefly Aerospace, Relativity Space, Stoke Space and others.

While Blue Origin is on the Space Force's list of available launch vehicles, the company's New Glenn rocket was not eligible for the contracts announced Friday. That's because military officials need a rocket to perform at least one successful orbital launch to qualify for a Track 1 operational order. New Glenn's first test flight is scheduled for later this year.

Because of this rule, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets and ULA's Vulcan rockets were the only launch vehicles eligible for the contract orders, leading to direct competition between the rival rocket companies. SpaceX prevailed, winning all nine Lane 1 missions this year.

Track 2 of the Space Force's National Security Space Launch program includes more demanding military missions, typically larger and more expensive payloads intended for higher orbits. The Space Force is expected to select launch providers for Lane 2 missions soon. The Space Force has to certify the rockets for these launches, while the military is happy to accept a slightly higher risk for Lane 1 missions.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy are currently certified for national security launches, and the Space Force is in the process of certifying ULA's Vulcan launch vehicle after two successful test flights. The Space Force and Blue Origin also have a certification plan for the New Glenn rocket, but it must first complete several successful test flights.

Updated October 19th with additional information about starting task orders.