After a two year, $60 million certification effort, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) has become the second provider currently capable of launching space vehicles for the Air Force under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. This allows the Hawthorne, California-based company to bid on national security space-launch missions using its Falcon 9 Launch System.
Air Force Certifies SpaceX as Space Launch Provider
Key Takeaways:
- SpaceX has been certified by the Air Force for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, becoming the second provider for national security space-launch missions after a two-year, $60 million effort.
- This certification introduces competition to the space launch market for the first time in nearly a decade, aiming to reduce costs for taxpayers and improve military resiliency.
- SpaceX will compete against United Launch Alliance (ULA) for upcoming missions, with its first opportunity being a bid for GPS III launch services in June.
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