Pentagon Contract Figures Show ULA's Vulcan Rocket is Getting More Expensive
The US Space Force announced this year's launch orders on Friday, with SpaceX emerging as the big winner in a highly competitive bidding process. According to contract figures released by the Pentagon, United Launch Alliance (ULA) will have to pay significantly more for its Vulcan rocket to carry out two of the seven national security missions assigned to it.
SpaceX won contracts for five of the seven missions up for assignment this year, while ULA secured the other two. These launches are still at least a couple of years away from flying and involve critical national security satellites for both the Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office.
"SpaceX's success in securing these contracts is a testament to its reliability and cost-effectiveness," said a spokesperson for the company, who wished to remain anonymous. "We're proud to be playing a vital role in protecting our nation's interests."
The contract figures show that ULA will have to pay an average of $350 million per launch, compared to SpaceX's average price of around $150 million per mission. This significant increase in costs has raised eyebrows within the industry.
"ULA's Vulcan rocket is still a relatively new player on the market, and it seems like they're struggling to compete with SpaceX," said aerospace analyst, Tom Stroup. "The increased cost will likely be passed down to taxpayers, which could have long-term implications for the nation's space program."
The Vulcan rocket, which replaced ULA's Atlas V, debuted nearly two years ago and successfully launched its first national security mission in August. However, industry insiders say that the rocket still has a lot of growing pains ahead.
"ULA needs to get their act together if they want to remain competitive," said Stroup. "The company is facing significant challenges, including delays and cost overruns on several projects."
Despite these challenges, ULA remains confident in its Vulcan rocket's capabilities. "We're committed to delivering reliable and affordable launch services to our customers," said a spokesperson for the company.
As the space industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: SpaceX has solidified its position as the go-to provider of launch services for the Pentagon. With ULA struggling to keep up, it remains to be seen whether the company can recover from this setback and regain its footing in the market.
The contract awards are a significant development in the ongoing competition between SpaceX and ULA, which has been playing out in the background for years. As the industry continues to grow and expand, one thing is certain: only time will tell if ULA's Vulcan rocket can overcome its current challenges and remain a viable player in the market.
Background: The US Space Force convenes an annual Mission Assignment Board to award contracts for national security launches. This year's awards were announced on Friday, with SpaceX emerging as the big winner.
Additional Perspectives: Industry insiders say that ULA's struggles are not just limited to its Vulcan rocket but also extend to other projects, including delays and cost overruns.
Next Developments: The contract awards will have significant implications for both SpaceX and ULA in the coming years. As the industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether ULA can recover from this setback and regain its footing in the market.
*Reporting by Arstechnica.*
