This represents a remarkable turnaround for SpaceX and the federal government. After filing a lawsuit against the Air Force three years ago for the right to bid on military launch contracts, the California-based company only began flying military payloads for the government in May. Now lawmakers seem to be warming quickly to the company's vision of low-cost access to space.
During the hearing, Franks said reusable rockets had the potential to enhance the nation's warfighting capability.
The amendment directs the Secretary of Defense to brief the Committee on Armed Services by March 1, 2018 on the department's plan to evaluate the risks, benefits, costs, and potential cost-savings of the use of reusable launch vehicles for use in national security space missions.
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