Launch Service Procurement
Blue Origin steps up call for change in Air Force launch procurement plan
Blue Origin is further pressing its case for the Air Force to open up the Phase 2 launch procurement to more competitors.
Air Force confident NDAA will back its launch procurement strategy
Lt. Gen. John Thompson: “I will categorically state that there is absolutely no bias against the commercial providers in the source selection process."
Launch companies look to government customers for stability
With the size and growth of commercial markets uncertain, launch companies are looking to government agencies to varying degrees for stability and funding for the development of new vehicles.
DoD acquisitions chief: Pentagon unlikely to change Air Force launch procurement strategy
Ellen Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said DoD supports Air Force plans for Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement.
No legal stones left unturned in the battle for U.S. Air Force launch contracts
SpaceX and Blue Origin both have already taken legal action against the Air Force, arguing that it has failed to create a level playing field for them and other companies to be able to challenge heavily favored ULA.
ULA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman submit bids for national security launch procurement contract
ULA and SpaceX currently launch the bulk of U.S. national security satellites while Northrop Grumman and Blue Origin are looking to break in.
Blue Origin files protest over ‘flawed’ Air Force launch procurement
Blue Origin filed a “pre-award” protest with the GAO, arguing that the rules set by the Air Force do not allow for a fair and open competition.
DoD reports higher costs for National Security Space Launch program
NSSL costs over the entire life of the program increased 7.2% — from $57.2 billion to $61.3 billion.
House passes NDAA, keeps HASC chairman Smith’s space launch reforms alive
Proposed changes to the National Security Space Launch program that Smith introduced in the HASC version of the NDAA made it into the House bill.
White House challenges HASC Space Corps language, strongly objects to space launch provisions in NDAA
On the National Security Space Launch program, the administration “strongly objects” to HASC language “as it would increase mission risk for the nation’s national security satellites.”
Vandenberg wooing tenants as launch activity slows down
30th Space Wing commander: “In order to achieve polar orbit there is no better place to be than Vandenberg."
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.
House Armed Services’ space launch legislation revised in 11th-hour deal
The amended language retained two key provisions that help SpaceX and Blue Origin, and removed two others that were opposed by ULA.
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.
Crunch time: Rocket companies in all-out battle for Air Force award
In the days since the May 3 release of the Air Force’s formal call for proposals for the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement, new squabbles have arisen as bidders scrutinize the final solicitation for anything that might tilt the competition in a rival’s favor.
