Space News by Jeff Foust — February 4, 2020
NASA awarded a contract to SpaceX Feb. 4 for the launch of an Earth science mission that has successfully staved off cancellation several times.
NASA announced it selected SpaceX to launch the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) spacecraft on a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in December 2022. The agency said the contract is valued at $80.4 million, covering the launch and related services. SpaceX separately said the launch will use a “flight-proven†Falcon 9, one where the rocket’s first stage has previously launched one or more missions.
“SpaceX is honored to continue supporting NASA’s critical scientific observational missions by launching PACE, which will help humanity better understand, protect and preserve our planet,†Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, in a company statement.
More:
https://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-nasa-contract-to-launch-earth-science-mission/
