SpaceX Statement: Falcon 9 Certified by NASA LSP as Category 3 Launch Vehicle

NASA’s Launch Services Program (LSP) has certified Falcon 9 as a Category 3 launch vehicle. Category 3 launch vehicles are certified to support NASA’s highest cost and most complex scientific missions. The following statement is from SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell:

“LSP Category 3 certification is a major achievement for the Falcon 9 team and represents another key milestone in our close partnership with NASA. We are honored to have the opportunity to provide cost-effective and reliable launch services to the country’s most critical scientific payloads.”

The process of designating launch vehicles as Category 3 is designed to assure the highest practicable probability of success. Falcon 9 has completed over 60 missions, including the NASA LSP missions Jason-3 and TESS.