SpaceX joins the ULA in the NSSL Phase 2 program
Close to a decade ago, SpaceX spearheaded the war towards freedom from the monopolistic control of the national security space launches by the United Launch Alliance. Currently, it is part and parcel of the alliance.
The press statement by the US Air Force on August 7 was the final blow to this war by SpaceX. The Air Force revealed that the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) phase 2 contracts would go to SpaceX and ULA with the subsequent launches scheduled in 2022 and 2027.
There has been a continuous struggle between ULA and SpaceX. One of them is the six years ago award of contracts to ULA for the production of Atlas 5 and Delta 4 rockets. SpaceX disagreed with this move, arguing that such agreements must undergo a competitive auction. Air Force came forward to clear the propaganda saying that SpaceX was still working on the Falcon 9 vehicles, thus not suitable for inclusion.
In the Satellite 2020 meeting held in March, Gwynne Shotwell, chief of SpaceX, reiterated that startups have to find a way to thrive in the space industry. He adds that the existing commercials in this industry will ensure they give a new space startup firm a hard time to scare it off from the market.
SpaceX has put a lot of effort to ensure it thrives. For instance, the firm has sanctioned the certification of Falcon 9 to create more opportunities for launch contracts. Some of the notable deals won after that move include deploying the GPS 3 satellite on June 30.
The efforts by SpaceX to obtain a market niche have opened ways for the US to initiate the stop on relying on Russia for engines to fit in its rockets. This move by the US has facilitated the stiff competition for the NSSL Phase 2 contracts.
SpaceX has been on the fight for contracts resulting in it developing the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, which have an advanced payload. The company is also preparing to create a mobile service tower at the Kennedy Space Center to facilitate the launch of national security payloads.
ULA was battling SpaceX on its entry into the market, where the collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin has been masterful. Nonetheless, ULA is developing the Vulcan rocket to end the dependence on RD-180 in Russia. The firm responds to competition uniquely, with the first move being the election of Tory Bruno as the CEO of the firm back in 2014.
Even though Vulcan is a new product, Bruno is positive that ULA will maintain its longstanding reign as a frontier in the launch of national security payloads. Bruno said that they are preparing to launch four massive spacecraft.
The losers in the competition, Northrop Grumman and Blue Origin will be now focusing on their projects, including the creation of New Glenn and other projects.
Finally, the CEO of Blue Origin, Bob Smith, said they are focusing on completing the New Glenn project. Nevertheless, Blue Origin is indirectly involved in the NSSL Phase 2 program through ULA.