Pentagon contract figures show ULA’s Vulcan rocket is getting more expensive

Around this time each year, the US Space Force convenes a Mission Assignment Board to dole out contracts to launch the nation's most critical national security satellites. The military announced this year's launch orders Friday, and SpaceX was the big winner. Space Systems Command, the unit responsible for awarding military launch contracts, selected SpaceX to launch five of the seven missions up for assignment this year. United Launch Alliance (ULA), a 50-50 joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, won contracts for the other two. These missions for the Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office are still at least a couple of years away from flying. SpaceX and ULA are the only companies with rockets certified by the Space Force to launch the Pentagon's big-ticket satellites. ULA's Vulcan rocket, which replaces the company's Atlas V, debuted nearly two years ago and successfully launched its first national security mission in August. SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets each have long track records of success. The New Glenn rocket from Jeff Bezos's space company Blue Origin is also part of the Space Force's roster of rockets, but must complete at least one more successful flight before receiving military certification for the Pentagon's exclusive National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions. "Space is the ultimate high ground, critical for our national security. With this year's NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 mission assignments, we continue to assure access to that high ground," said Col. Eric Zarybnisky, program executive officer for Assured Access to Space. The military's selection of SpaceX for the bulk of this year's mission assignments was no surprise. The Space Force announced in April that SpaceX will receive the majority of Space Force launch contracts over the next several years, with ULA getting second-most, and Blue Origin eligible as a third launch provider. Space Force officials said at the time they reserve the right to reapportion missions between the three providers if one of them runs into trouble.