Tesla Inc (TSLA)

[sambeaux]

TODAY - 15:30 ET - Elon Musk's SpaceX, already embroiled in disputes over lack of Pentagon financial support for its heavy-lift rocket development, took another blow from a Pentagon-sponsored study backing current plans that leave out such military funding for the company. The report, prepared by Rand Corp. analysts for the Air Force, concludes that the global market for rockets capable of boosting the biggest US national security satellites likely can support only two US launch providers. ULA, a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture, and Blue Origin, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, are considered the front runners to win the first batch of launch contracts slated to be awarded later this year. The study, in effect, endorsed Air Force acquisition plans that leave SpaceX out of the mix for heavy-lift launches at least over the next few years. ([e-mail])