US DoD selects SpaceX, Blue Origin, and ULA for $5.6bn defense launches contracts over 5 years.

The US Department of Defense has selected SpaceX, Blue Origin, and ULA to compete for defense launches contracts worth up to $5.6bn over the next five years, with an option to extend by another five years. This marks the first time Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, is involved in the lucrative program. The Space Force anticipates awarding at least 30 national security launches between the three providers over the initial five-year period.