SpaceX was permitted to submit a bid for that specific launch, even before it was certified, but it must meet the Air Force's requirements to win the contract.
A top U.S. Air Force official on Wednesday said she is "pretty optimistic" that privately held Space Exploration Technologies will eventually be certified to launch U.S. military satellites into orbit but declined comment on the timing of such an action...Pawlikowski said she was "pretty optimistic" that SpaceX would eventually be certified
Reading between the lines in this article, it seems likely that the ongoing competition Lt Gen Pawlikowski referred to is for the upcoming NROL-79 mission. SpaceX had not previously commented on whether or not they would submit a bid, though it seemed likely they would.http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/19/us-usa-space-engine-idUSKCN0J323W20141119QuoteSpaceX was permitted to submit a bid for that specific launch, even before it was certified, but it must meet the Air Force's requirements to win the contract.That statement seems to suggest that if the certification process is not finished by the time of contract award in December, SpaceX cannot win the competition.QuoteA top U.S. Air Force official on Wednesday said she is "pretty optimistic" that privately held Space Exploration Technologies will eventually be certified to launch U.S. military satellites into orbit but declined comment on the timing of such an action...Pawlikowski said she was "pretty optimistic" that SpaceX would eventually be certifiedIs she telegraphing by use of the word "eventually" that the certification process may not wrap up in time for SpaceX to win the NROL-79 competition? Or is "pretty optimistic" telegraphing that certification will likely happen in time for contract award?Perhaps someone more astute at reading the political tea leaves can comment.
You sure that's for NROL-79?
Is she telegraphing by use of the word "eventually" that the certification process may not wrap up in time for SpaceX to win the NROL-79 competition? Or is "pretty optimistic" telegraphing that certification will likely happen in time for contract award?Perhaps someone more astute at reading the political tea leaves can comment.
<snip>That statement seems to suggest that if the certification process is not finished by the time of contract award in December, SpaceX cannot win the competition.<snip>
With the new bill being signed that prohibits new contracts to companies that use Russian engines,
"Gen. John Hyten, commander of Air Force Space Command, said that the final word on certification now rests with Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base.“He’ll make that decision when he’s ready,” Hyten said in an interview with SpaceNews. “All of the information has come to him now. He has to walk through and decide where he’s going to go and what he’s going to do.“I would imagine there would be an announcement this month sometime. I think we need to make a public announcement some time because it is December and that’s the month we’ve been shooting for,” Hyten continued. “I don’t know where he’s going to come out but I can tell you SpaceX and the 150 Air Force personnel who have been working that issue have been working it night and day to try to get there. I think we’re close.”
Any day now™
Quote from: dcporter on 12/19/2014 05:51 amAny day now™Well, it's either today or tomorrow, the last two days in December, or SpaceX loses out on NROL-79.
Quote from: Kabloona on 12/30/2014 01:52 pmQuote from: dcporter on 12/19/2014 05:51 amAny day now™Well, it's either today or tomorrow, the last two days in December, or SpaceX loses out on NROL-79.watch the announcement come on late Friday. They don't want so much PR attn. for bids.
What counts: the day of announcement or the day of the sign on the certificate?If the second, an announcement could be placed on friday too, unless signed earlier.