Under the agency’s Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract, NASA has awarded SpaceX a task order to launch two CubeSat missions.
In accordance with the terms of the contract, SpaceX will be responsible for launching the CubeSats on a Falcon 9 rocket no earlier than 2025. Prior to launch, the agency will provide specific specifications for the payloads.
CubeSats, for the uninitiated, are miniature satellites that provide a cost-effective and expedient method for conducting space-based scientific research and technological demonstrations. NASA seeks to accelerate scientific discoveries and enable new opportunities for space exploration by leveraging the capabilities of CubeSats.
The VADR launch services contract, administered by NASA’s Launch Services Programme at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, offers commercial launch services for risk-tolerant payloads. Using a lower level of mission assurance and integrating commercial best practises, the contract reduces launch expenses and increases mission planners’ flexibility.
In 2022, SpaceX was designated as one of thirteen companies to receive VADR contracts. With a track record of successfully delivering payloads to space, the Elon Musk-owned company continues to support NASA’s objectives and advance space exploration.
🚀NASA awards a task order to @SpaceX to launch four #CubeSat missions as part of the VADR launch services contract. The missions will be part of LSP’s CubeSat Launch Initiative!
📱https://t.co/D1FYROth19 pic.twitter.com/l83pDK9l3Z
— NASA’s Launch Services Program (@NASA_LSP) June 13, 2023
