Air Force, SpaceX Amend CRADA for Falcon 9 Launch System

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket used for NASA’s CRS-4 mission. Photo: SpaceX

[Via Satellite 05-13-2015] The United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) and SpaceX have formally amended the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for certifying the Falcon 9 launch system to compete for Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) contracts.

The revised CRADA grafts in all the recommendations from the Independent Review Committee and is expected to streamline the certification process. SpaceX’s certification, with the Falcon 9 v1.1 as the baseline configuration, is expected no later than June 2015.

“The updated CRADA captures important lessons learned along the way about the process and allows the flexibility to certify SpaceX when ready, while maintaining our ‘laser focus on mission success,'” said Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves, Commander, SMC.