Three Successful Launches Move The Booster Closer To Approval For EELV Program

The Air Force has certified SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch system as having conducted three successful flights, a prerequisite for companies seeking to win business from the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Program.

Under Air Force standards, SpaceX is already qualified to compete for EELV missions, but SpaceX must also be certified by the Air Force before any contract can be awarded to the company. Meeting the criteria for successful flights is a key milestone in the certification process.

SpaceX expects to satisfy the remaining certification requirements later this year.

Currently, only ULAs Delta IV and Atlas V boosters are used under the program, which was designed to increase reliability and reduce launch costs by at least 25 percent over heritage Atlas, Delta and Titan space launch systems.

A new EELV Acquisition Strategy was approved in November 2011 which recognizes only the Atlas V and Delta IV can currently provide reliable launch services to meet NSS requirements but also seeks to take advantage of the growing potential of additional commercial space launch providers. The approach continues procurement of launch services and launch capability from ULA for the next several years but provides for a full and open competitive environment for any alternative sources as soon as they are certified. The primary goal remains 100% mission success while incentivizing cost reductions. Steady production rates, long-term commitments and opportunities for competition are among the means to achieve this goal.

(Falcon 9 image from file)

FMI: www.spacex.com, www.vandenberg.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5207