Posted on 05/14/2013 2:35:22 PM PDT by oxcart
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, and the U.S. Air Force will soon reach an agreement on a certification plan that would allow the company to vie for national security payload launch contracts with the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy spaceflight launch systems, according to Aviation Week.
Founded by billionaire Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, SpaceX opened a Huntsville office in Cummings Research Park in 2010. The private company started in 2002 to design, manufacture and launch advanced rockets and spacecraft and employs about 2,000 workers at its California headquarters.
To reduce the costs associated with space launches, the certification plan began in 2011. Targeted for 2014-15, SpaceX's first two Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle-class missions will allow the company to compete with United Launch alliance for high value missions, but the company needs to achieve final certification criteria.
"We have had quite a bit of work done to develop a detailed certification plan," Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski told Aviation Week. "We have a new entry certification guide and they have submitted a letter of intent. We worked with them to get into the real nitty-gritty to implement that guide and we're within a week if not days of being prepared to close that plan."
SpaceX is preparing for two upcoming Orbital/Suborbital Program-3 and other flight missions. Before certification, the company's spacecraft control, operations software and reviews of launch site will be audited, Pawlikowski said.
(img src=”http://imgick.al.com/home/bama-media/width620/img/wire/photo/spacex-9d016700e8d636e7.jpg”;>
I always preview when I post images... ;)
The public sector finally gets into the picture.
Heinlein wasn’t that far off...
Now if only we could make Heinlein right about his view on voting.
"Under our system every voter and officeholder is a man who has demonstrated through voluntary and difficult service that he places the welfare of the group ahead of personal advantage" said Bob Heinlein in Starship Troopers... 
and let me also add in this semi-reign of Obama saying there is no there there: "To permit irresponsible authority is to sell disaster."
Not so fast. Musk gets plenty of government money through his companies Space-X, Testla and Solar Cities. They may not be considered government contractors, but they are very much propped up by their association with the Obama Administration. A bit soon to be crowing about “public sector” in space (which I assume you meant “private sector” instead.)
Obama is most certainly a disaster. Thanks for posting the quote. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume your a fan due to your tagline. :)
you grok it, Gator!
Thanks Valentine Michael Smith
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