Insider Brief
- The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command awarded a $77.5 million contract to Astrotech Space Operations to expand commercial satellite processing capacity at Vandenberg Space Force Base by 2028.
- The expansion aims to meet the growing demands of both military and commercial launch activities, supporting National Security Space priorities and enhancing the Space Force’s responsive and resilient launch capabilities.
- This public-private partnership aligns with efforts to strengthen infrastructure for the U.S. warfighter and bolster the nation’s strategic advantage in space.
PRESS RELEASE – The United States Space Force (USSF)’s Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Space Vehicle (SV) Processing Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) contract to Astrotech Space Operations (ASO) to expand commercial SV processing capacity for NSSL missions at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California by 2028.
“This $77.5 million CSO award is a public-private partnership for cost sharing of much-needed launch infrastructure to support the increased demands of both military and commercial launch activities,” stated Col. Dan Highlander, Director of Operations Integration for SSC’s Assured Access to Space Program Executive Office. “This expanded processing facility will support National Security Space priorities, improving USSF’s responsive and resilient launch capabilities for the warfighter.”
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages an annual $15.6 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic and allied organizations to outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.
Greg Bock
Greg Bock is an award-winning investigative journalist with more than 25 years of experience in print, digital, and broadcast news. His reporting has spanned crime, politics, business and technology, earning multiple Keystone Awards and a Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters honors. Through the Associated Press and Nexstar Media Group, his coverage has reached audiences across the United States.
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