FTC delays decision on launch vehicle joint venture
Posted: Tue, Oct 25, 2005, 6:21 AM ET (1021 GMT)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), facing a deadline Monday to rule on a proposed joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, instead asked the companies for more information. The United Launch Alliance (ULA), first announced in early May, would combine the EELV operations of the two aerospace giants, consolidating manufacturing, management, and government sales. The proposed venture requires FTC approval under antitrust law, but at the end of a 30-day review period Monday the FTC instead asked the two companies for additional information about the ULA. The FTC's decision comes just days after SpaceX filed a lawsuit to block the ULA's formation, claiming that it would be anti-competitive. Some in the Defense Department have also been skeptical about the ULA, including claims that it would save the government over $100 million a year. In a joint statement, Boeing and Lockheed said that they remained confident that they would eventually win FTC approval for the UTC.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), facing a deadline Monday to rule on a proposed joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, instead asked the companies for more information. The United Launch Alliance (ULA), first announced in early May, would combine the EELV operations of the two aerospace giants, consolidating manufacturing, management, and government sales. The proposed venture requires FTC approval under antitrust law, but at the end of a 30-day review period Monday the FTC instead asked the two companies for additional information about the ULA. The FTC's decision comes just days after SpaceX filed a lawsuit to block the ULA's formation, claiming that it would be anti-competitive. Some in the Defense Department have also been skeptical about the ULA, including claims that it would save the government over $100 million a year. In a joint statement, Boeing and Lockheed said that they remained confident that they would eventually win FTC approval for the UTC.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX launches Starlink satellites from Florida and California
Posted: Sun, May 12 9:16 AM ET (1316 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, May 15
‘Challenger’ is a fresh telling of one of NASA’s darkest moments
Washington Post — 5:31 am ET (0931 GMT) Eutelsat confirms guidance, with OneWeb network on track
Reuters — 5:27 am ET (0927 GMT) Space Force should consider alternative launch sites, lawmakers say
C4ISRnet — 5:26 am ET (0926 GMT) Draft NDAA Would Let the Space Force Absorb Guard Units—with Restrictions
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 5:26 am ET (0926 GMT) Patrol Spacecraft Are Urgently Needed, French Space Commander Says
Aviation Week — 5:25 am ET (0925 GMT) |
