# Rocket System Launch Program (RSLP) — Program Element 1206860SF

**Program element:** 1206860SF  
**Component:** U.S. Space Force  
**Appropriation:** 3620F — RDT&E, Space Force  
**Budget Activity:** 6 — RDT&E Management Support  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206860SF

## Summary

U.S. Space Force funding falls 69% to a $20.0M request in FY2027 (down from a FY2026 peak), 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 228% (to $65.5M).

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 34.8 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 65.0 |
| FY2027 | Request | 20.0 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 21.2 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 21.5 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 21.9 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 22.4 |

> 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 | 20.0 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 20.0 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 20.0 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 65.5 | +45.5 |

> 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 661023 | Rocket System Launch Program (RSLP) | 34.8 | 65.0 | 20.0 | −69% |

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

### Project 661023 — Rocket System Launch Program (RSLP)

System Delta 80 is developing, operating, prototyping, and executing the Rocket System Launch Program (RSLP) for Guardians across Space Access, Warfighting, and Combat Support. 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, continue to advance all near term effects, and ensure resilient infrastructure, equipment, and personnel. RSLP provides responsive space and Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) launch vehicle support to the Department of War (DoW) and other government agencies using commercial launch systems and excess ballistic missile assets. The RSLP mission was established by the Secretary of Defense in 1972. The small launch program complements the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program with multiple options to acquire dedicated spacelift and rideshare services for developmental, demonstration, and small operational space vehicles. It provides mission planning, payload integration, vehicle acquisition, processing, launch operations, booster storage and disposition, aging surveillance, maintenance and logistics support for selected DoW responsive space and RDT&E launches. Costs directly attributable to a specific launch or program (e.g., reliability of flight testing, maintenance of launch vehicle processing infrastructure) are paid by users (Navy, Army, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), etc.). RSLP maintains exclusive control of decommissioned Minuteman and Peacekeeper assets used in testing to include refurbishment, transportation and handling, storage, aging surveillance, and launch services. RSLP enhances capacity to provide mid-to-low & polar-to-high inclination orbits as a part of support for national security space programs through Spaceports that are commercially licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration and received funding from the local or State government. RSLP also funds general research, development, prototyping, integration, and supplemental reliability of flight testing efforts for launch to enhance the reliability of a variety of launch vehicles using RSLP motors for suborbital and orbital missions (e.g., updates to the Modular Mechanical Ordnance Destruct System).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage/Refurbishment/Flight Readiness/Demil | 16.1 | 16.0 | 15.8 |
| Aging Surveillance | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| Other Launch Support Services | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.9 |

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

## Related program elements

- [0205778A — Guided Multiple-Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0205778A) (Army)
- [0603778A — MLRS Product Improvement Program](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603778A) (Army)
- [1206853SF — Next Generation Launch System Investment](https://hitchintel.com/programs/1206853SF) (Space Force)
- [0401134F — Large Aircraft IR Countermeasures (LAIRCM)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0401134F) (Air Force)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 1206860SF (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="1206860SF")`.

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