AI Insight
NASA has added Blue Origin's New Glenn 9×4 launch vehicle to its NASA Launch Services II contract through the contract's annual on-ramp provision. This addition makes the New Glenn 9×4 available for NASA's Launch Services Program to use for future missions through the contract period, which extends through June 2030 for ordering and December 2032 for overall performance. The NLS II contracts support NASA's Human Spaceflight, Science, and Research and Technology Mission Directorates, and can also provide launch services to other government agencies.
Why it matters
This expands NASA's launch vehicle options for future missions, potentially increasing launch capacity and competition among providers. The addition provides NASA with more flexibility in selecting appropriate launch vehicles for various payload requirements and mission profiles across multiple directorates.
Understand the Science
In accordance with a contract on-ramp clause, NASA has added Blue Origin’s New Glenn 9×4 launch service to the NASA Launch Services (NLS) II contract. The New Glenn 9×4 launch service will be available to NASA’s Launch Services Program Office to use for future missions.
The NLS II contracts are multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts with an ordering period through June 2030, and an overall period of performance through December 2032. The NLS II contracts include an on-ramp provision that provides an opportunity annually for new launch service providers to compete for future missions and allows existing contractors to introduce launch vehicles not currently on their NLS II contracts.
The NLS II contracts support the goals and objectives of the agency’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate, Science Mission Directorate, and the Research and Technology Mission Directorate. Under the contract, NASA also can provide launch services to other government agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NASA’s Launch Services Program Office at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida manages the NLS II contracts. For more information about NASA visit:
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Joshua Finch / Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / james.j.russell@nasa.gov
Leejay Lockhart
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-747-8310
leejay.lockhart@nasa.gov
Source: NASA Adds Blue Origin New Glenn 9×4 to Launch Services Contract