Space and Missile Systems Center boss Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves said SpaceX is still eligible to compete for National Security Space missions even though one of its Falcon 9 rockets exploded on June 28, reported Reuters. “SpaceX remains certified and can compete for the upcoming GPS III launch service,” Greaves told the wire service. The rocket was on a commercial mission carrying supplies to the International Space Station when it experienced an “anomaly,” company officials said. As of June 29 the cause was still unknown, according to SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s Twitter account. The GPS III launch will be the first time United Launch Alliance will face competion for NSS missions since the Lockheed Martin and Boeing consortium was formed in 2006. SpaceX was certified in May after a two-year review.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.