$48M to SSI for USAF Space Launch Services

SSI launch facilities(click to view full) Spaceport Systems International (SSI), a Lompoc, CA-based partnership between ITT Corp. and California Commercial Spaceport, received a $48 million contract to provide launch services for the Launch Test Squadron within the USAF Space and Missile Systems Center/Space Development and Test Wing. Under the contract, SSI will provide launch site services for USAF space launch missions. SSI provides payload processing and launch services to the US military and other US government customers… The spaceport, located on Vandenberg Air Force Base, has 2 distinct components: * Integrated Processing Facility (IPF) – In this building, commercial, NASA and Air Force payloads are integrated into rockets. * Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8) – The launch facility can accommodate a variety of rockets, including Minuteman II, Minotaur, Castor 120, and Delta (up to Delta III) rockets. Construction of a mobile access tower was completed in October 2004 and is being upgraded to accommodate the Minotaur IV rocket. At this time, $300,000 has been obligated under the USAF contract. The USAF Space and Missile Systems Center manages the contract (FA8818-10-D-0022). ITT release