U.S. House Unanimously Approves Posey Commercial Space Legislation
“Today the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill introduced by Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) as an Amendment to H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act, that enables the Department of Defense (DoD) to work with Space Florida and commercial companies to improve space launch infrastructure to better meet national security and commercial space launch needs.”
Two more military missions booked on EELV rocket fleet, SpaceflightNow
“The maiden missions for both rockets occurred 10 years ago under the direction of their original parent companies — Lockheed Martin for Atlas and Boeing for Delta. But in subsequent years, the Air Force pushed for the creation of United Launch Alliance to operate both rocket lines, ensuring they remained viable and alive, while reducing overhead costs and erasing duplication in efforts between the two aerospace giants.”
Orbital Sciences CEO Criticizes DoD’s Proposed ‘Block Buy’ Of EELVs From ULA, Defense Daily (subscription)
“The Pentagon’s proposed “block buy” of Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELV) from United Launch Alliance (ULA) will perpetuate a “long-term, high-cost monopoly” and will “seriously inhibit” the prospects for…”
Good business indeed – for ULA. But I do not fault ULA. They are just doing what they can to maximize profit. The fault lies in the DOD, which among other things penalized Boeing by taking away many of its missions rather than by imposing a fine, then accepted the reasoning that consequently Delta was no longer viable and allowed the competitors to merge.