Rocket Systems Launch Program (SPACE)

Mission — Rocket System Launch Program (RSLP) source

Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) provides responsive space and Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) launch vehicle support to DoD 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 DoD 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 non-Space Force 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). While the corresponding RSLP Procurement, Space Force line is set to $0 due to no planned procurements of Space Force funded missions, the activities funded by this RDT&E line are still required to safely store and maintain the RSLP inventory of launch assets. This program element may include necessary civilian pay 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 1206392SF and 1206398SF. In PY $0.0M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in CY $0.180M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.195 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative.” This program is in Budget Activity 6, RDT&E Management Support because this budget activity includes research, development, test and evaluation efforts and funds to sustain and/or modernize the installations or operations required for general research, development, test and evaluation.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (3)