When it comes to commercial launch providers, it is clear that the American space has a favorite. On Friday, the military branch has assigned the majority of the upcoming national security missions to Spacex, while the blue asset failed to conclude the missile certificate.
Space Force has given contracts for Spacex and UNITED LAUNCH Alliance (ULA) with a value of more than one billion dollars as part of the NSSL launch program. SpaceX finds five of the seven military tasks, at a value of $ 714 million, while ULA will launch the remaining Monday, at $ 428 million. Blue Origin, another distinguished competitor, was not qualified to receive tasks this time as the company is waiting for the company Rockket New Glenn Sunget.
Ready, set, launch
Earlier in April, the space system in Force Fours ordered Declare Three companies, Spacex, Ula, and Blue Origin, as beneficiaries of the first round of its NSSL prizes. The program, which aims to purchase launch service providers for military missions, includes a total of 54 missions that will be launched between 2027 and 2032.
The first batch of missions is scheduled to be launched until 2029. Although the majority of loads in missions remain classified, space force has revealed some prominent points in the upcoming launch operations. The newly appointed tasks from SpaceX include the launch of Satcom Communications Satcom Global Communications, a satellite of the National Reconciliation Office (NRO), as well as three unannounced loads. The upcoming ULA tasks include the launch of a GPS satellite, as well as another NRO.
Spacex is one of the main gunshots of the space force, as it has launched more than ten of its loads over the past few years. Before the Elon Musk Space project came to the scene, Ula used to be the primary launch provider of national security tasks using Rockets Atlas V, DeTa VI Heavy and Vulcan.
Blue origin, on the other hand, is relatively new in the game. After several delays, the company New Glenn Rochet finally made a trip On January 16. His opening launch was not completely successful; The missile reached orbit, but its strengthening was lost during an attempt to recover in the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, the missile has not yet been adopted to launch spacecraft loads until it completed two successful trips.
New Glin is NASA is scheduled to be launched (Escape and Plasma Accessacy and Dynamics Explorers) Mission to Mars later in this fall. If things go well, the company will be finally qualified to enter the operation to launch NSSL in the next round in 2027.
Spacex is expected to receive more than half a total of 54 tasks, while ULA is scheduled to fire about 19 of the remaining tasks. Blue origin, waiting for his testimony, can launch up to seven missions.
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