Adapted by:
Matías S. Zavia
WriterAerospace and energy industries journalist at Xataka.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
When entrepreneur Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 with grand ambitions—including the colonization of Mars—few believed it would ever unseat the two giants of the U.S. aerospace industry: Boeing and Lockheed Martin. But it’s now a reality. SpaceX has officially become the Pentagon’s top military launch provider.
Breakthrough. The U.S. Space Force has awarded $13.7 billion in contracts to launch its most critical satellites into orbit through the early 2030s. These include advanced GPS satellites and strategic communication systems capable of withstanding a nuclear conflict.
SpaceX secured the largest share—28 missions worth $5.9 billion. That’s nine more than United Launch Alliance (ULA), the joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which received 19 launches. Blue Origin, the space company of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, won seven missions.
End of the duopoly. As the “New Space” era brought startups like SpaceX and Blue Origin into the fold, Boeing and Lockheed Martin sought to protect their dominance through ULA. Thanks to a track record of reliability, the Pentagon stuck with the duo’s rockets for years, maintaining an exclusive grip on military contracts.
SpaceX broke through in 2015, winning its first military contract after a legal battle for fair competition. Since then, it hasn’t only held its ground—it’s become the Space Force’s preferred launch provider.
No more excuses. With nearly 140 successful launches last year and significantly more competitive pricing—thanks to reusable rockets—the Pentagon now has little reason to stick with ULA out of habit.
SpaceX charges the Space Force about $212 million per launch for its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. ULA asks $282 million for its Vulcan rocket, while Blue Origin’s New Glenn comes in at $341 million—and has flown only once.
Still competitive. ULA’s Vulcan rocket still brings critical capabilities, particularly with its Centaur V upper stage, which provides superior orbital maneuverability compared to SpaceX’s Falcon boosters.
Blue Origin, meanwhile, offers the most powerful rocket among the four, with a massive booster and ambitions for full reusability. But it has only completed one test launch and failed its first landing attempt. The company still needs at least one more certification flight before it can carry military payloads.
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