There are at least two lawmakers who believe America definitely has lost its space advantage. The Denver Post reports that Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) doesn’t think the American public “understands the importance of space.” Calvert was in Colorado Springs, Colo., to speak at the National Space Symposium, where he proclaimed, “Our competitors are literally breathing down our necks.” He was joined in that sentiment by Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), who told the symposium that the US must “find the sweet spot between collaborating and competing.”
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
