Spaceport Systems International (SSI) will provide spaceport launch services to the US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) launch test squadron, under a $48m five-year contract.

The SMC, part of the US Air Force Space Command, conducts research and development of the US military’s space and missile systems.

The centre also supports Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, with launch operations, on-orbit satellite tracking, data acquisition, and command and control for Department of Defense satellites.

The SSI spaceport facility, located in the southern corner of Vandenberg Air Force Base, is used for west coast polar launches of the Minotaur family of space boosters.

SSI is a limited partnership between ITT Corporation and California Commercial Spaceport.