NASA Launch Services Program
NASA program / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) is responsible for procurement of launch services for NASA uncrewed missions and oversight of launch integration and launch preparation activity, providing added quality and mission assurance to meet program objectives.[1] LSP operates under the NASA Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD).[2]
| |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1998 |
| Jurisdiction | United States federal government |
| Headquarters | Kennedy Space Center, FL |
| Annual budget | US$102 million (FY 2022) |
| Parent department | Space Operations Mission Directorate |
| Parent agency | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| Website | Launch Services Program |
Since 1990, NASA has purchased expendable launch vehicle launch services directly from commercial providers, whenever possible, for its scientific and applications missions. Expendable launch vehicles can accommodate all types of orbit inclinations and altitudes and are ideal vehicles for launching Earth-orbit and interplanetary missions. The Launch Services Program was established at Kennedy Space Center for NASA's acquisition and program management of expendable launch vehicle missions. A NASA/contractor team is in place to meet the mission of the Launch Services Program, which exists to provide leadership, expertise and cost-effective services in the commercial arena to satisfy Agency wide space transportation requirements and maximize the opportunity for mission success.[3]
Primary launch sites are Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) in Florida, and Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) in California. Other launch locations are NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska.