The Air Force has announced the award of an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) launch service contract. Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) has been awarded a $130 million firm-fixed price contract for launch services to deliver Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-52 satellite to the intended orbit. The contract provides the Government with a total launch solution for this mission, which includes launch vehicle production, mission integration and launch operations. This mission is planned to be launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.This is the fifth competitive procurement under the current Phase 1A strategy. These launch service contract awards strike a balance between meeting operational needs and lowering launch costs through reintroducing competition for National Security Space missions.“The competitive award of this EELV launch service contract directly supports Space and Missile Systems Center’s (SMC) mission of delivering resilient and affordable space capabilities to our Nation while maintaining assured access to space,” said Lt. Gen. John Thompson, Air Force program executive officer for Space and SMC commander.AFSPC-52 is a classified mission projected to launch in late Fiscal Year 2020.The Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, located at the Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the U.S. Air Force's center of excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes the Global Positioning System, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space based infrared systems, and space situational awareness capabilities.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), Hawthorne, California, has been awarded a $130,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract, for launch services to deliver the Air Force Space Command-52 satellite to its intended orbit. This launch service contract will include launch vehicle production and mission, as well as integration, launch operations and spaceflight worthiness activities. Work will be performed in Hawthorne, California; Kennedy Space Center, Florida; and McGregor, Texas, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and two proposals were received. Fiscal 2018 space procurement funds in the amount of $130,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award. The Contracting Division, Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-18-C-0003). (Awarded June 20, 2018)
What was the alternative? Atlas 5 or a Delta IV?
So the question is, what kind of Falcon Heavy flight does $130 million buy? All 3 cores recovered, or exended core?
Quote from: yokem55 on 06/21/2018 10:41 pmSo the question is, what kind of Falcon Heavy flight does $130 million buy? All 3 cores recovered, or exended core?The requirements seem to suggest that this was borderline doable on a Falcon 9 expendable. Therefore, I am guessing that this will be a fully recoverable Falcon Heavy launch. However, all three of the cores will be brand new plus the other AF requirements (thus the higher price).
Previous discussion here :https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43266.msg1728038#msg1728038Interesting choice, the requirements seemed borderline for F9. Good win for SpaceX.
Quote from: gongora on 06/21/2018 10:56 pmPrevious discussion here :https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43266.msg1728038#msg1728038Interesting choice, the requirements seemed borderline for F9. Good win for SpaceX. originally i think it was to be a transfer orbit and could now be direct insertion
originally i think it was to be a transfer orbit and could now be direct insertion
Quote from: russianhalo117 on 06/22/2018 02:11 amQuote from: gongora on 06/21/2018 10:56 pmPrevious discussion here :https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43266.msg1728038#msg1728038Interesting choice, the requirements seemed borderline for F9. Good win for SpaceX. originally i think it was to be a transfer orbit and could now be direct insertionCould be, but I doubt it for $130 million.