Tuesday, September 8, 2009

SpaceX Lands Satellite Contract

Hawthorne-based SpaceX, the space rocket venture headed by Elon Musk, reported Tuesday afternoon that it has gained a contract to launch an Earth observation satellite from Astrium. Financial details of the contract were not announced. SpaceX said that the launch will occur on its Falcon 1e launch vehicle, with the satellite payload coming from either Astrium or subsidiary Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL). Planned launch date for the satellite was not disclosed. SpaceX is funded by the Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Musks's personal fortune.

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