Falcon Heavy’s three first stage booster cores. Photo: SpaceX.

SpaceX has secured a $130 million firm-fixed-price contract from the U.S. Air Force for launch services to deliver the Air Force Space Command-52 (AFSPC-52) satellite using it’s Falcon Heavy rocket. This launch service contract will include launch vehicle production and mission, as well as integration, launch operations and spaceflight worthiness activities. According to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and two proposals were received.

“SpaceX is honored by the Air Force’s selection of Falcon Heavy to launch the competitively-awarded AFSPC-52 mission,” said Gywnne Shotwell, president and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SpaceX, in a statement. “On behalf of all of our employees, I want to thank the Air Force for certifying Falcon Heavy, awarding us this critically important mission, and for their trust and confidence in our company. SpaceX is pleased to continue offering the American taxpayer the most cost-effective, reliable launch services for vital national security space missions.”