Tags: Air Force, Satellite Launch, SpaceX
Publication: AviationWeek.com
Publication Date: 12/05/2012

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket at the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, before liftoff to send the Dragon capsule to the ISS. Image credit: SpaceX

The U.S. Air Force has awarded two contracts to SpaceX in the latest move to foster competition in the country’s launch market.

Using its Falcon 9 v1.1, the company will take NASA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) into orbit in November 2014. The second contract will require SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Heavy to boost a Space Test Program satellite in September 2015, according to Air Force officials.

SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 is currently in development; it is expected to be ready after next spring. The Falcon 9 Heavy will be operational in 2014. Approximately $100 million have been allocated for the missions and an extra $162 million will likely be assigned within the next few days.

In addition to SpaceX, Orbital Sciences is a top competitor for the larger satellite launches that will be announced, according to officials. Orbital’s first Antares launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2013 for NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program.

Orbital Sciences is also competing for the smaller satellite launches together with Lockheed Martin. Orbital counts with its Minotaur family of rockets and Lockheed with its new Athena boosters.

In total, the Air Force has a budget of up to $900 million to allocate in contracts for approximately 12 launches.

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