SpaceX Can now launch a national security satellite with a used rocket.
Alan Musk’s company recently signed an agreement with the US Space Force to allow the use of the next two GPS satellite launches. Falcon 9 booster With the first stage. Space Force officials said it was the first for national security pay, and would result in about 53 53 million in savings for U.S. taxpayers on both flights.
“SpaceX is proud to take advantage of Falcon 9’s flight-proven benefits and capabilities for national security space launch missions,” Gavin Shotwell, President and CEO of SpaceX, said in a space letter today (September 25). Is
“We appreciate the efforts that the US Space Force has made in evaluating and are pleased to see the benefits of this technology,” Shotwell said. “Our extensive experience with reuse has allowed SpaceX to continuously upgrade its fleet and save significant valuable tax dollars on these launches.”
Related: See the evolution of SpaceX’s rocket in the pictures
SpaceX lands regularly and represents the first stages of the workhorse, the two-stage falcon 9. Powerful Falcon Heavy, Which has only been launched three times to date, is similarly reusable. (The Falcon Heavy must have three Falcon 9 first rounds together, a modified central booster topped by the second round.)
Today’s announcement marks another step in the growing acceptance of space force reusable rocket technology. The Military Branch’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) had earlier signed an agreement allowing SpaceX to reach the Falcon 9 first stage during the GPS launch.
That’s all the company did GPS III-SV03 mission this past June, And it plans to do so again for GPS III-SV04, which is scheduled to land next Tuesday (September 29).
Changes to the new agreement allow GPS III-SV05 and GPS III-SV06 satellites to be launched with the first phase of the Falcon 9S, which will return to Earth after ascension. Both launches are scheduled for sometime next year.
In a statement, Walt Lauderdale, SMC’s Head of Falcon Systems and Operations and Director of Repeated Missions, said in a statement: Can go
“I am proud of our partnership with SpaceX that has allowed us to successfully negotiate a contract to amend the upcoming GPS III missions that have saved taxpayers 52 52.7 million and given us an unprecedented record of success. Will maintain, “Lauderdale said.
Mike Wall is the author of “Come There” (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; featured by Carl Tate), a book about exploring alien life. Follow him on Twitter Micheldwall. Follow us on Twitter @spacedotcom or Facebook.
