NASA Awards Launch Services Contract to SpaceX

April 22, 2008

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749
katherine.trinidad@xxxxxxxx

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@xxxxxxxx

CONTRACT RELEASE: C08-023

NASA AWARDS LAUNCH SERVICES CONTRACT TO SPACEX

WASHINGTON -- NASA has awarded Space Exploration Technologies, or
SpaceX, a NASA Launch Services contract for the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9
launch vehicles.

The NASA Launch Services contracts are multiple awards to multiple
launch service providers. Twice per year, there is an opportunity for
existing and emerging domestic launch service providers to submit
proposals if their vehicles meet the minimum contract requirements.

The contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
contract where NASA may order launch services through June 30, 2010,
for launches to occur through December 2012. Under the NASA Launch
Services IDIQ contracts, the potential total contract value is
between $20,000 and $1 billion, depending on the number of missions
awarded.

The contract seeks a launch capability for payloads weighing 551
pounds or heavier into a circular orbit of 124 miles at an orbital
inclination of 28.5 degrees. Payloads would be launched to support
three NASA mission directorates: Science, Space Operations and
Exploration Systems.

Because an IDIQ contract has been awarded to SpaceX, it can compete
for NASA missions using the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles as
specified by the NASA Launch Services contract process.

NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center is responsible
for program management. This award to SpaceX adds to the stable of
launch vehicles available to NASA under previously awarded contracts.
The original request for proposal was issued in 1999.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov


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