Space Systems Command adds second Blue Origin deal to boost vehicle processing at Cape Canaveral
by Clarence Oxford
El Segundo CA (SPX) Oct 09, 2025

Space Systems Command is expanding its space vehicle processing capacity at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station by 2028, awarding Blue Origin a $78.25 million contract. The award is the second National Security Space Launch Space Vehicle Processing Commercial Solutions Opening contract aimed at strengthening responsive and resilient launch operations.

"This second CSO award reflects our continued commitment to meet both national security and commercial launch requirements," said USSF Col. Dan Highlander, Director of Operations Integration for SSC's Assured Access to Space directorate. "This additional capacity will ensure USSF is able to continue to deliver responsive and resilient launch capabilities to the warfighter, and the public-private partnership behind the new capacity enables us to cost-share with commercial industry to our mutual benefit."

The initiative expands processing throughput while leveraging a public-private partnership model to share costs with industry. By increasing capacity on the Florida coast, SSC is positioning the United States Space Force to accelerate mission timelines and support a broader manifest of national security and commercial launches.

SSC serves as the U.S. Space Force field command for acquiring and delivering resilient warfighting capabilities that protect strategic advantage in and from space. The command manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of War, collaborating with joint forces, industry, government, academic, and allied partners to outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.

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