Air Forces cancels competition for EELV-class launch
Posted: Fri, Jan 30, 2015, 7:10 AM ET (1210 GMT)
The US Air Force canceled a competition between SpaceX and United Launch Alliance for the launch of a classified satellite this week, awarding the launch to ULA as part of its existing block buy contract. The Air Force had competed the launch of the NROL-79 mission last year, providing an opportunity for SpaceX to go against ULA. However, the Air Force canceled the competition Wednesday, saying it was in "the best interest" of the government. ULA also won two other launches from the Air Force, also part of its existing block buy contract, with a total value of all three of $382 million. SpaceX dropped its lawsuit against the Air Force last week about that block buy contract after the government agreed to expedite its certification of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and to increase the number of competitive launch opportunities. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Air Force plans to add several GPS satellites to the pool of upcoming missions whose launches will be competed.
The US Air Force canceled a competition between SpaceX and United Launch Alliance for the launch of a classified satellite this week, awarding the launch to ULA as part of its existing block buy contract. The Air Force had competed the launch of the NROL-79 mission last year, providing an opportunity for SpaceX to go against ULA. However, the Air Force canceled the competition Wednesday, saying it was in "the best interest" of the government. ULA also won two other launches from the Air Force, also part of its existing block buy contract, with a total value of all three of $382 million. SpaceX dropped its lawsuit against the Air Force last week about that block buy contract after the government agreed to expedite its certification of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and to increase the number of competitive launch opportunities. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Air Force plans to add several GPS satellites to the pool of upcoming missions whose launches will be competed.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, February 10
Firefly Targets Feb. 18 For Alpha's Return To Flight
Aviation Week — 7:25 am ET (1225 GMT) Wright State joins U.S. Space Command’s Academic Engagement Enterprise
Spectrum News — 7:24 am ET (1224 GMT) WSU to work with U.S. Space Command
Dayton (OH) Daily News — 7:23 am ET (1223 GMT) Ship Delivers 1st Vulcan Rocket Parts for Inaugural Vandenberg SFB Launch
Noozhawk — 7:23 am ET (1223 GMT) Musk says SpaceX shifting focus to 'self-growing city' on moon before Mars push
Fox Business — 7:19 am ET (1219 GMT) |
