SpaceX vs Boeing and Lockheed Update

[braddock]

An update on what has happened in the SpaceX vs. Boeing and Lockheed anti-trust civil suit in the past few weeks:

Lockheed Martin and Boeing have filed motions to dismiss the case with the California Central District US Federal court.

The court has scheduled the hearing on the Lockheed and Boeing Motions to Dismiss for January 9th at 10am.

SpaceX has a deadline of December 16th to respond to the Lockheed and Boeing motions to dismiss, followed by replies from Boeing and Lockheed by December 30th, followed then by the actual hearing date.

SpaceX now expects the next attempt to launch the Falcon I no sooner than Dec 17th.

[Bruce H]

Thanks Braddock. I must say I'm looking forward to the next launch attempt and the amusement that is trying to get information on what is happening!

[STS Tony]

Sounds like these court hearings could go back and forth. I wonder if there's an attempt to settle, although what would be a good settlement option for both parties?

[braddock]

Settlement really isn't the issue; the real battle has nothing to do with the courts.

I think that the real audience for the SpaceX complaints is not the court, or Boeing and Lockheed, but the US Federal Trade Commission, which has delayed its approval of the Boeing/Lockheed United Launch Alliance due to the lawsuit.  

SpaceX's real goals are to try to block the ULA, and to put the Air Force on notice that they had better keep their EELV contracting process fair and open.  So far they have partially succeeded in forcing the Air Force's hand earlier this year, with their GAO complaints.  Elon Musk at his press conference a few weeks ago said that they were pretty much forced to speak up for themselves now.

I'd be surprised if the case was NOT dismissed.  SpaceX has no concrete way to show damages, and I'm sure they know it.  That doesn't mean it won't be a victory for SpaceX.