# Next Generation Launch System Investment — Program Element 1206853SF

**Program element:** 1206853SF  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force  
**Appropriation:** 3620F — RDT&E, Space Force  
**Budget Activity:** 5 — System Development & Demonstration  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206853SF

## Summary

U.S. Space Force funding falls 58% to a $2.7M request in FY2027, sustained across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators added 182% (to $7.7M). DOW leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 101.1 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 6.5 |
| FY2027 | Request | 2.7 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 3.7 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 3.7 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 3.8 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 3.8 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 2.7 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 2.7 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 2.7 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 7.7 | +5.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (1)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 650006 | Next Generation Launch System Investment | 101.1 | 6.5 | 2.7 | −58% |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 650006 — Next Generation Launch System Investment

System Delta 80 is executing the National Security Space Launch program (Program Element NSSL00) for Guardians across Space Access. As a result, the Service will advance space-based technology associated with Golden Dome, deliver space domain awareness capabilities, improve readiness and operational reach of existing force structure, and ensure resilient infrastructure, equipment, and personnel. The National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program provides a space launch service that satisfies the government's National Launch Forecast (NLF) requirements to place National Security Space (NSS) space vehicles on orbit. NSSL is a launch service, not a weapon system, which is primarily funded with production funds. NSSL Phase 2 development, started late FY 2014, funds research and development activities and related studies, to include, but not limited to, investments in new and/or upgraded launch systems and associated launch facilities to meet NSS launch needs leveraging domestic commercial launch providers. The Space Force continues to provide support to monitor and close out the remaining activities for the Launch Service Agreement (LSA) public-private partnership with United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur. Future development to capitalize on new technology and innovations developed by industry may continue to utilize public-private partnerships. This program falls within the Launch mission area which provides the launch systems and corresponding ground architecture required to provide assured access to space, the movement of payloads to and from the space domain, and provision a safe and secure range for space launch operations. Program interdependencies include: EELVP (Space) - EMD (1206853SF); National Security Space Launch Program (1203953SF); Rocket System Launch Program (1206860SF); SDA Launch Procurement (1203954SF); Space Access, Mobility & Logistics (1203955SF); Spacelift Range System (1203182SF); Tactically Responsive Launch (1206862SF). This requirement supports performance of a full financial audit as required by title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D. This program element included all necessary expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, and 0605898F.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** DOW (2.7, 98%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Service Agreement (LSA) | 22.9 | 6.5 | 2.7 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 98% | 2.7 |
| Other / unspecified | 2.0% | 0.1 |

**Top named industry performers:** DOW ($2.7M, 98%).

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

System Delta 80 is executing the National Security Space Launch program (Program Element NSSL00) for Guardians across Space Access. As a result, the Service will advance space-based technology associated with Golden Dome, deliver space domain awareness capabilities, improve readiness and operational reach of existing force structure, and ensure resilient infrastructure, equipment, and personnel. The National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program provides a space launch service that satisfies the government's National Launch Forecast (NLF) requirements to place National Security Space (NSS) space vehicles on orbit.

SYD 80 will continue execution of NSSL Phase 2 Public-Private Partnership investments and NSSL Enabling Investments, including those for Next Generation Rocket Engine Testing and Upper Stage Resiliency Enhancements. Phase 2 consists of RDT&E investment in commercial launch system prototypes developed via the Space Force's Launch Service Agreements (LSAs) and Rocket Propulsion System (RPS) Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements to ensure two domestic launch service providers are certified to meet all NSS requirements. Phase 2 ends the use of the Russian RD-180 engine and leverages the U.S. launch industry to meet more stressing national security needs.

## Related program elements

- [1203710SF — EO/IR Weather System Dev](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1203710SF) (Space Force)
- [0603134A — Counter Improvised-Threat Simulation](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603134A) (Army)
- [1203955SF — Space Access, Mobility & Logistics (SAML)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1203955SF) (Space Force)
- [0401221F — KC-46A Tanker Squadrons](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0401221F) (Air Force)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 1206853SF (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="1206853SF")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*