From Ars Technica · · 2m
Pentagon backs SpaceX rivals as Falcon retires
The US military is funding new launch companies to replace SpaceX's Falcon rocket, signalling concern about access to space as the workhorse rocket winds down.
In brief
The US military is funding new launch companies to replace SpaceX's Falcon rocket, signalling concern about access to space as the workhorse rocket winds down. The Pentagon is lending three hundred million dollars to SpaceX competitors Stoke Space and Rocket Lab to ensure military launch capacity as SpaceX retires its…
Pentagon funds SpaceX rivals
The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital announced one hundred fifty million dollar loans to Stoke Space on October twenty-sixth and Rocket Lab on Tuesday to support their launch programs.
Why the military is worried
SpaceX is stopping commercial Falcon nine orders after twenty twenty-eight as it shifts focus to Starship. Military officials see Falcon's retirement as a potential national security risk.
Falcon's timeline for government
The Space Force's launch contract with SpaceX allows military Falcon nine and Falcon Heavy orders through twenty twenty-nine, with actual launches extending through twenty thirty-three.
Starship's other priorities
SpaceX plans to retire Falcon for good once Starship proves itself. The company's near-term priority is using Starship's cargo capacity for Starlink satellites and Starmind orbital data centers.
Military's assured access policy
Since the nineteen nineties, the Pentagon has maintained a policy of assured access to space by supporting at least two US rocket programs capable of launching national security satellites.
Current launch provider problems
SpaceX's Falcon and United Launch Alliance's Vulcan are the military's main providers. Vulcan has been grounded twice in two years by solid rocket booster problems, forcing the Space Force to shift missions to SpaceX.
Military's growing launch needs
Space Systems Command now forecasts the military will require up to two hundred forty-nine medium-to-heavy-lift launches through the early twenty thirty-s, more than double expectations from two years ago.
Stoke Space's loan details
Stoke Space's one hundred fifty million dollar loan supports building a second launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida for its Nova Block two rocket, set to debut next year.
Rocket Lab's loan and expansion
Rocket Lab's one hundred fifty million dollar loan supports increasing Neutron rocket flight rates, expanding maritime recovery vessels, manufacturing upgrades, and infrastructure to reduce turnaround between launches.
Rocket Lab raises Neutron pricing
Rocket Lab increased Neutron launch pricing from fifty-five million to seventy million dollars per launch, citing surge in bookings. The company now has a backlog of one hundred seventeen launches on contract.
“Launch is extremely constrained, and that is exactly the situation we predicted.”
The main idea
The Pentagon is lending three hundred million dollars to SpaceX competitors Stoke Space and Rocket Lab to ensure military launch capacity as SpaceX retires its Falcon rockets after twenty twenty-eight.
