SpaceX secured another contract with the Pentagon's Department of Defense amounting to a whopping $150.4 million for a 2022 mission to deploy the United States Space Development Agency's 28 satellites. The mission would not begin until the following year, giving both parties plenty of time to prepare and ready the space tech that would soon launch.
The space equipment manufacturer and the aerospace manufacturer has capped the start of the New Year with a contract with the United States government for a space mission to soon happen. SpaceX is one of the top companies that are chosen and considered for such missions, also a privately-owned company headed by CEO, Elon Musk.
SpaceX Wins Pentagon Contract for 2022
The Department of Defense's space agency, US Space Development Agency (SDA) is planning to put its satellites to orbit the Earth and perform its specific functions that would soon benefit the country. According to Space News, the SDA asked for bids starting October 6 last year, and have only finished deliberation and choosing its partner this year.
A cluster of small and medium spacecraft sizes as required by the Pentagon's SDA, which chose SpaceX on December 31, becoming the company's New Year's surprise. The buzzer-beater decision has awarded a $150.4 million contract to the private company, expanding its tie-ups with government agencies apart from NASA.
Twenty data-relay satellites are called the "Transport Layer" and the remaining eight would be the so-called missile-warning satellite, also known as "Tracking Layer." The satellites would benefit the country's intelligence and knowledge on the world's missiles, specializing in security and protection for the United States.
SpaceX Pentagon Contract: 2022 Flight for Falcon 9 Rockets
According to Tesmanian, the launch would depart from Vanderberg Air Force in California with the Falcon 9 leading the launches that would occur simultaneously or in succession. The privately-owned aerospace manufacturer proposed one of the most extremely credible proposals during the bidding, which made it the top choice for the project.
The launch manifest is said to divide the spacecraft into two rockets of the fourteen batches, each near two polar orbits that would circulate the planet at 950 kilometers of altitude. The relays and devices would be strapped at the top of Falcon 9 that would release as it brings the space devices to the planet's orbit.
SpaceX Pentagon Contract: Not the Only One
This project is not the only contract of SpaceX with the Pentagon as another October contract was secured by the company. However, it is still under hold because of the multiple protests from other bidders that are demanding for the contract and decision to be reviewed.
The SpaceX Pentagon Contract that is under review would be tasking the aerospace manufacturer to develop missile-tracking satellites for the country's military force. This venture would be a massive advantage for the Pentagon, which awarded SpaceX $149 million.
Related Article : Japanese Company Developing Wooden Satellites to Decrease Space Junk in the Earth's Orbit
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Isaiah Alonzo
