Sec. 1603. National Security Space Launch program
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It is the sense of Congress that— the acquisition approach for phase three of the National Security Space Launch program should account for changes in the launch industry and planned architectures of the Space Force; the supply of launches for phase three may be impacted by increases in commercial space launch demand; the Secretary of the Air Force should explore new and innovative acquisition approaches to leverage launch competition within the commercial market; and in developing the acquisition strategy for phase three, the Secretary should— consider the scope of phase three manifest requirements in comparison to the Orbital Services Program and other potential contract vehicles for launches; ensure the continued assured access to space; emphasize free, fair, and open competition; capitalize on competition across the commercial launch industry; examine all possible options for awarding contracts for launches during the period covered by the phase, including, block-buys, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, or a hybrid approach; consider tailorable mission assurance options informed by previous launch vehicle performance metrics; include options for adding launch providers, launch systems, or both, during the execution of phase three to address manifest changes beyond the planned national security space unique launches at the time of initial award; maintain understanding of the commercial launch industry and launch capacity needed to fulfill the requirements of the National Security Space Launch program; and allow for rapid development and on-orbit deployment of enabling and transformational technologies required to address emerging requirements, including with respect to— delivery of in-space transportation, logistics, and on-orbit servicing capabilities to enhance the persistence, sensitivity, and resiliency of national security space missions in a contested space environment; proliferated low-Earth orbit constellation deployment; routine access to extended orbits beyond geostationary orbits, including cislunar orbits; payload fairings that exceed current launch requirements; increased responsiveness for heavy lift capability; the ability to transfer orbits, including point-to-point orbital transfers; capacity and capability to execute secondary deployments; high-performance upper stages; vertical integration; and other new missions that are outside the parameters of the nine design reference missions that exist as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
On a quarterly basis until the date on which the Secretary of the Air Force awards a phase three contract, the Commander of the Space Systems Command shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a briefing on the development of the phase three acquisition strategy, including how the matters described subsection
(a)are being considered in such strategy. Not later than 14 days after the date on which a phase two mission assignment board is completed, the Commander of the Space Systems Command shall notify the appropriate congressional committees of the launch assignment results of the board. In this section: The term appropriate congressional committees means— the congressional defense committees with respect to all briefings provided under subsection
(b)and notifications made under subsection (c); and in addition to the congressional defense committees, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate with respect to— briefings required under subsection
(b)regarding requirements of the intelligence community being incorporated into phase three planning; and notifications made under subsection
(c)regarding an assignment that includes capabilities being launched for the intelligence community. The term intelligence community has the meaning given that term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 ( 50 U.S.C. 3003(4) ). The term phase three means, with respect to the National Security Space Launch program, launch missions ordered under the program after fiscal year 2024. The term phase two means, with respect to the National Security Space Launch program, launch missions ordered under the program during fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
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Sec. 1603
National Security Space Launch program
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