The head of Space Exploration Technologies says Lockheed Martin and Boeing shouldn’t be the only companies that are allowed to provide the U.S. Air Force with certain satellite technology, and that’s why he’s launching a lawsuit.
“If we compete and lose [contracts], that is fine,” said SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk, the Irish Examiner reported. “But why would they not even compete it?”
Mr. Musk’s big complaint is that the U.S. Air Force purposely locks out most competing companies from the lucrative satellite-launch market, except for Lockheed Martin and Boeing. That’s not fair, he said.
He’s due to file a suit in the Court of Federal Claims demanding the Air Force reopen competition on a contract to provide 36 rocket cores, the Irish Examiner reported.
Meanwhile, his complaints have reached the ears of at least one congressman. Sen. John McCain has recently asked the Pentagon’s Inspector General to look into the Air Force’s launch program and advise why the competitive atmosphere seems so locked.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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