Falcon 9

The US Air Force (USAF) has approved SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket to launch the country’s future space missions, including military and spy satellites.

With this certification, Elon Musk’s company will be one of two certified firms to provide launch services for national security missions.

This approval is considered to break the satellite launch monopoly of United Launch Alliance (ULA), a 50:50 joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

In June, SpaceX will have its first opportunity to bid for a contract to launch GPS III satellites.

USAF secretary Deborah Lee James said: "This is a very important milestone for the Air Force and the Department of Defense.

"SpaceX’s emergence as a viable commercial launch provider provides the opportunity to compete launch services for the first time in almost a decade."

USAF and SpaceX have worked for two years on the certification process and open competition opportunities for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) programme.

"SpaceX’s emergence…provides the opportunity to compete launch services for the first time in almost a decade."

The certification process allows launch service providers to design and produce a new system, as well as provide assurance to launch national security satellites to intended orbits with full mission capability.

USAF space and missile systems centre (SMC) commander Lieutenant General Samuel Greaves said: "Our intent is to promote the viability of multiple EELV-class launch providers as soon as feasible."

The US has been using Russian RD-180 engines-powered Atlas 5 rocket to launch military and intelligence satellites; however, a new regulation imposes a ban on the use of Russian engines due to concerns about national security. SpaceX Falcon 9 will be an alternative option for the country.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said: "This is an important step toward bringing competition to National Security Space launch."

Image: A Falcon 9 rocket carrying Nasa’s DSCOVR mission. Photo: courtesy of SpaceX.