The Department of Defense’s inspector general plans to review the U.S. Air Force’s previous certification for SpaceX to offer its Falcon launch vehicles for military launch service contracts. DoD’s watchdog announced an evaluation on Monday that will examine if the service branch complied with the Launch Services New Entrant Certification Guide while certifying the launch system.Â
In 2015, the Air Force approved the design of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets to join the service’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. The certification allows manufacturers to demonstrate their abilities to design, build and deliver a platform to help send military satellites into orbit.
The IG said the initial evaluation will begin in February at the Space and Missile Systems Center at the Los Angeles Air Force Base in California.
