Mary-Louise Hoffman
The U.S. Air Force has certified a new version of the SpaceX-built Falcon 9 rocket for potential use in military satellite launch programs, Space News reported Monday.
Mike Gruss writes the company upgraded Falcon 9 in a move to boost the launch vehicle’s thrust reaction force, improve its stage separation system and expand the upper stage motor.
The Falcon 9 Upgrade rocket’s maiden flight occurred last month.
The certification allows SpaceX to offer the modernized rocket in pursuit of contracts to help the Air Force launch national security satellites, Gruss reports.
SpaceX’s original Falcon 9 was approved in May 2015, nearly two years after the company submitted the technology for Air Force clearance.
