Launch Service Agreement

Space Force officially ends launch partnerships with Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman
The U.S. Space Force on Dec. 31 officially terminated launch technology partnerships signed in October 2018 with Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman.

California judge ends SpaceX’s lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force
The judge said the Air Force's actions were "not arbitrary, capricious, or in violation of the law, and that SpaceX was not entitled to any relief in this action.”

SpaceX pressing on with protest against U.S. Air Force despite launch contract win
SpaceX reiterates its claim made in a May 2019 protest that the Air Force harmed the company by denying it a Launch Service Agreement award.

Air Force to end agreements with Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman, prepares for launch contract protests
Following the Phase 2 decision, the Air Force is preparing for the possibility of contractor protests.

HASC Chairman adds $150 million in NDAA for space launch technology development
The $150 million addition is for investments focused on the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 competition.

Political fight continues over Air Force launch services procurement
A May 29 letter signed by 28 lawmakers asks the Air Force to not cave to pressure to add a third provider in the Phase 2 launch services procurement.

Senators ask Air Force to not terminate partnerships with space launch industry
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) ask Air Force to keep Launch Service Agreements that were signed in 2018.

RAND finds risk in Air Force plan to support two launch companies
Senior analyst Bonnie Triezenberg: "The Air Force needs to think about how they can maximize the number of U.S. suppliers."

SpaceX presses on with legal fight against U.S. Air Force over rocket contracts
SpaceX has asked the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California to hold a hearing on March 2 to consider the company’s protest against the U.S. Air Force.

Air Force to continue to push back on proposed space launch legislation
Air Force says having more than two launch contractors in Phase 2 puts missions at risk.

Smith to continue to press for change in national security space launch program
Smith so far has not been happy with the Air Force’s response to his concerns about the launch program.

SpaceX gets a boost from House Armed Services Committee 2020 NDAA markup
Smith’s mark does not disrupt the LSP schedule and only directs some changes to the rules of the competition.

SpaceX launches new legal battle against U.S. Air Force
Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman and United Launch Alliance have filed 'motions to intervene' in the lawsuit filed by SpaceX against the U.S. government

Air Force requests bids for space launch services, will select two companies in 2020
The LSP is a five-year procurement for approximately 34 missions that will launch starting in 2022.

Pushback continues as Air Force prepares to request bids for space launch services
HASC Chairman Adam Smith is said to be unsatisfied with the Air Force’s response to his concerns about the Launch Service Procurement competition.

Air Force insists launch competition must stay on schedule
The upcoming release of the Air Force RPF for launch services was a hot topic last week at the 35th Space Symposium

Blue Origin urging Air Force to postpone launch competition
Blue Origin wants the U.S. Air Force to wait until 2021 before picking the two companies it intends use for launching critical military satellites in the decade ahead.

For OmegA, U.S. Air Force launch competition is a must-win
The stakes could not be higher for OmegA as it prepares for two critical static-fire tests of its solid rocket motors this year with the goal to launch its first payload in 2021.

Air Force space launch competition caught in political crossfire
While Blue Origin is asking for a delay in the LSP decision, ULA is said to be fiercely opposed.

Air Force poised to release final solicitation notice for national security space launch
The Launch Service Procurement would be the first competition under the National Security Space Launch program.