NASA has announced a modification of its NASA Launch Services II contract with Space Exploration Technologies of Hawthorne, Calif., to add an additional configuration of the Falcon 9 rocket to its fleet.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 launch service will be available to the agency’s Launch Services Program to use for future missions in accordance with the on-ramp provision of NLS II.
The NLS II on-ramp provision provides an annual opportunity for new launch service providers to compete for future missions and allows existing launch service providers to introduce launch vehicles not currently on their NLS II contracts.The NLS II contracts are multiple award, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts with ordering periods through June 2020.
The NLS II contracts support the goals and objectives of the agency’s Science Mission Directorate, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, and the Office of the Chief Technologist. Under the contract, NASA also can provide launch services to other government agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Launch Services Program Office at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is responsible for program management.
