Mary-Louise Hoffman
The U.S. Air Force expects to approve Space Exploration Technologies to compete for military satellite launch work by mid-2015, six months later than originally anticipated, Reuters reported Wednesday.
Andrea Shalal writes the Air Force said SpaceX has met 80 percent of the requirements for the company to be certified to pursue the branch’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.
The service had expected to complete the evaluation process in December 2014 so that SpaceX could bid on a contract for a National Reconnaissance Office satellite mission, according to the report.
Capt. Chris Hoyler, an Air Force spokesman, told Reuters the branch could unveil findings from an independent review of the certification process this coming summer.
Defense Department officials seek to introduce industry competition in the military’s rocket launch programs, for which United Launch Alliance is the sole service provider.
