Looks like an Delt-las 4-5 :lol:
SpaceX also greatly depends on the US government. Things are not that simple.
SpaceX uses rather low-end but cheap technologies (full Kero/LOX designs). ULA uses high-end but expensive technologies (RS-68, Centaur that use LOX/LH2).
Military stuff is very often at the leading edge of the technology, so I'm not surprised that this Atlas/Delta hybrid is mostly devoted to classified payloads. The Delta-4 was already mostly a military launcher. Moreover, ULA is a convenient alternative for the US government defense space projects, as NASA is a civilian administration. It's why it has often been nicknamed "the other USA space agency".
I'm a little worried about SpaceX trying to compete with an organization that is already tightly affixed to the U.S. government teat.
SpaceX also greatly depends on the US government. Things are not that simple.
Even if SpaceX is technologically on par or even slightly superior to ULA, ULA and the gubmint are tight, maybe too tight.
SpaceX uses rather low-end but cheap technologies (full Kero/LOX designs). ULA uses high-end but expensive technologies (RS-68, Centaur that use LOX/LH2).
Military stuff is very often at the leading edge of the technology, so I'm not surprised that this Atlas/Delta hybrid is mostly devoted to classified payloads. The Delta-4 was already mostly a military launcher. Moreover, ULA is a convenient alternative for the US government defense space projects, as NASA is a civilian administration. It's why it has often been nicknamed "the other USA space agency".