SpaceX will now work with US military cargo

About two weeks ago, SpaceX received permission from NASA to send very important cargo into space. So, the company Ilona Mask received a second category from NASA, which means the possibility of transporting multi-billion cargo. NASA's Launch Services Program has signed a long-term contract with SpaceX. Previously, Falcon 9 was held in the agency’s documents as a launch vehicle for medium-risk scientific missions. This includes sending orbiting satellites and some interplanetary stations. Now Falcon 9 received "Category 2", according to the classification of the agency.

Now the company has received appropriate certification from the US military, as reportedLieutenant General Samuel Greaves. Now, the Falcon 9 booster will also work for the good of US national security, sending the corresponding cargo into space. Most likely, such cargoes will be reconnaissance and military satellites.

According to the head of the US Air Force, Deborah Lee James, the involvement of Space X in national defense is an extremely important stage in the development of the defense program. She also noted that Space X proved to be a very competitive launch operator.

According to the military, competition among launch operators will reduce the cost of launches. Now in the US there are only two launch operators that can work for the defense industry. One of the companies is the United Launch Alliance (this company was, in fact, a monopolist until Space X was certified). The second company is Space X.

Note that Elon Musk spent about $ 60 million in two years to obtain a state license for launches. The first attempt to start working with the military was made back in 2005. Then the US Department of Defense decided to work with the United Launch Alliance.

As for NASA, earlier SpaceX successfully completed 6 missions to deliver cargo to the ISS. Now, after passing the certification of NASA, the company has received permission to work with the scientific missions of the agency.