SpaceX, ULA, Blue Origin Win $13.5 Billion Rocket Launch Contracts From Pentagon

The contract, which runs through 2029, is designed to launch the Pentagon's most sensitive and complex satellites into space.

SpaceX shares information about the contract it just won. Screenshot.

The Space Force program will deliver about 54 missions through 2029 in partial orders. SpaceX has been awarded 28 missions worth $5.9 billion; ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, has been awarded 19 missions worth $5.3 billion; and Blue Origin has been awarded seven missions worth a total of $2.3 billion, scheduled to launch in the following years.

The program is seen as the most competitive and lucrative launch effort in the United States, cementing the companies as America’s leading rocket suppliers. However, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket has only had one launch, in January, and is less experienced than SpaceX and ULA’s rockets.

SpaceX, with its Falcon 9 rocket, is the world’s most active launch company and has flown dozens of military space missions in recent years. The company said it will use the Falcon 9 and the more powerful Falcon Heavy for Phase 3 missions.

ULA’s new Vulcan rocket had its first two launches last year. The Pentagon certified the Vulcan for national security missions this month after months of review following a problem with its solid rocket motor during one of its flights.

The contracts are part of a Phase 3 program called "Lane 2," which includes the Pentagon's most difficult and expensive missions, involving multiple complex orbits around Earth, reserved for leading US launch companies with extensive experience.

SpaceX will take the majority of missions ordered by the Space Force in the first year of the program, according to two people familiar with the plan, due to the Falcon 9's much higher launch rate than ULA and Blue Origin.

“Vulcan is the right choice for critical national security space missions and is the only rocket today designed to meet all of our nation’s space launch needs,” said ULA CEO Tory Bruno.

With SpaceX emerging as the main winner of the program, billionaire Musk commented on his social media platform X: "Winning 60% of missions may seem generous, but the reality is that all of SpaceX's competitors combined currently can't do the remaining 40%! I hope they succeed, but they're not there yet."

Cao Phong (according to LNG, Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/spacex-ula-blue-origin-gianh-duoc-hop-dong-phong-ten-lua-tri-gia-135-ty-usd-tu-lau-nam-goc-post341571.html