What Happened
Pentagon Scrambles As SpaceX Retires Falcon 9 Rocket
The US Space Force is facing a launch crunch as SpaceX retires its Falcon 9 rocket, which has been the dominant player in the rocket business. With few alternatives available, the Pentagon is scrambling to find new launch options for its military satellites. The situation is compounded by the fact that new rocket companies, such as Rocket Lab and Blue Origin, are still years away from offering comparable services. According to POLITICO, the Space Force is working to address the issue, but it may require a fundamental rethink of how the military acquires launch services.