SpaceX’s Upgraded Falcon 9 Launches For Use Of National Security Space

Lieutenant General Samuel Greaves, Executive Officer for Space and Missile Systems Center of the United States, has approved the upgrade for SpaceX's "Full Thrust" Falcon 9 rocket launch for the use on National Security Space (NSS) missions.

Since its first launch in June 2010, SpaceX's Falcon 9 has been receiving multiple upgrades.

According to Space Flight Insider, the announcement made by the US Air Force on January 25 tackles the latest modification of the rocket's "baseline configuration of the rocket to its latest iteration."

"The certification process provides a path for launch-service providers to demonstrate the capability to design, produce, qualify, and deliver a new launch system and provide the mission assurance support required to deliver NSS satellites to orbit," Greaves said. 

 "This gives the Air Force confidence that the national security satellites will safely achieve the intended orbits with full mission capability."

SpaceX now owns the right to receive contract awards to launch missions for the use of NSS, joining Colorado-based United Launch Alliance to be its certified launch service providers.

According to the site, "Lt. Gen. Greaves is the final approving authority in terms of granting certification. The process that culminated with today's announcement means that the recommendations of the Spring 2015 Independent Review Committee were considered."

Secretary of Air Force Deborah Lee James said on May of 2015 that SpaceX received approval to move forward and have Falcon 9 complete under contracts.

"SpaceX's emergence as a viable commercial launch provider provides the opportunity to compete launch services for the first time in almost a decade. Ultimately, leveraging of the commercial space market drives down cost to the American taxpayer and improves our military's resiliency," said the Secretary.

According to Leader Call, after SpaceX's failed attempt to stick ocean landing after satellite launch, "The rocket launched as planned at 10:42 a.m. from Vandenberg Air Force Base, northwest of Los Angeles streaking through a cloud-filled sky before eventually sending its second stage and a Jason-3 satellite into orbit."

According to SpaceX, just like existing missions, a successful landing of a rocket launch was just a secondary test objective.