United Launch Alliance, Operator of the Atlas and Delta
Rockets, Joins Up
The Commercial Spaceflight Federation said in a news release
Monday that United Launch Alliance of Denver, Colorado has joined
the Federation as an Executive Member. United Launch Alliance
operates the Atlas V, Delta II, and Delta IV launch vehicles.
Michael C. Gass, President and CEO of United Launch Alliance,
stated, "United Launch Alliance has close business relationships
with many members of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation,
including Bigelow Aerospace, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Space
Florida, and XCOR Aerospace. Additionally, ULA is a funded
participant in NASA's Commercial Crew Development Program. So
joining the Commercial Spaceflight Federation is a natural fit for
us, and we are proud to do so."
"United Launch Alliance is excited to offer our proven Atlas V
and Delta IV launch vehicles to potential commercial crew
providers, many of whom are members of the Commercial Spaceflight
Federation," added Gass. "We look forward to the day when
astronauts are flying to low Earth orbit onboard commercial
vehicles such as Atlas and Delta. And the track record of success
for Atlas V and Delta IV shows that commercial spaceflight can and
will be conducted safely."
Mark Sirangelo, Chairman of the Commercial Spaceflight
Federation, said he welcomes United Launch Alliance into the
fast-growing membership of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation.
"ULA is innovative and entrepreneurially minded and we are proud to
work with ULA to achieve our common goals. We look forward to a
productive partnership with CEO Michael Gass and his entire
team."
"With the addition of United Launch Alliance and its nearly
4,000 employees to the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, the
Federation now includes America's most experienced launch services
providers," added Bretton Alexander, President of the Commercial
Spaceflight Federation. "United Launch Alliance and its heritage
companies have been trusted by the U.S. government to deliver the
Nation's most-critical national security payloads to orbit for more
than 50 years. The proven Atlas and Delta launch systems have an
important role to play in providing commercial crew transportation
for NASA and other customers."
Alexander concluded, "With the addition of both United Launch
Alliance and Bigelow Aerospace this month, the Federation is even
more strongly dedicated to our shared goal of a robust space
economy, creating jobs here on Earth and new opportunities in
space."