Four Companies Square Off Over Air Force Launch Contest

Irene Klotz December 20, 2019
Blu Origen rocket
The methane-burning BE-4 engine, being used for both Blue Origin’s New Glenn and ULA’s Vulcan rockets, underwent a hot-fire test in July.
Credit: Blue Origin
It is a testament to the ongoing transformation of the U.S. launch industry that not only does the Air Force have a record four companies vying for its space launch business but also the only operational rockets proffered in the competition belong to plucky SpaceX, whose raison d’etre is the human...
Irene Klotz

Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.

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