Firm Backlog Gave SpaceX Edge in Pad 39A Competition

摘要

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., edged out Blue Origin in the race to take over an old space shuttle launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida by showing NASA it had more guaranteed launches on tap than its Kent, Wash.-based competitor. "Blue Origin's multi-use approach involved uncertainty regarding the extent other users would use the pad," NASA selection official Richard Keegan wrote in the 13-page source selection document, which was released Dec. 19. "In contrast, SpaceX's approach for exclusive use and its proposed manifest was specific, firm, and included customers on contract."