The US Space Force has chosen Rocket Lab to compete for the Department of Defense’s (DoD) national security missions under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 programme.

If they can clear that inspection—and successfully launch a rocket to space by year’s end—they could start bidding on the next tranche of launches in Lane 1 of the larger group called ...

Lane 1 focuses on low Earth orbit missions, allowing newer companies like Rocket Lab and Stoke Space to participate. Lane 2, reserved for the most demanding national security missions, requires ...