[Satellite TODAY 01-13-12] United Launch Alliance (ULA) has been awarded a $1.5 billion firm, fixed-price contract to launch nine rocket missions for the U.S. Air Force through June 2014, the Pentagon announced Jan. 12.

   According to the terms of the contract posted on the Pentagon’s website, the Air Force procured five Atlas 5 launches and four Delta 4 launches from ULA.

   Atlas 5 will launch the Air Force’s Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-19, Mobile User Objective System-3 and three National Reconnaissance Office missions. Delta 4 will launch a mission known as Air Force Space Command-4, two GPS satellites and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-20.

   ULA is a 50-50 joint venture launch company owned by Lockheed Martin and Boeing.