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Colo. lawmakers demand explanation for 'epidemic of anomalies' behind SpaceX launches

With billions of government dollars at stake, lawmakers demand transparency in privatized space launches.

By Laura Mazzuca Toops | Updated on July 16, 2014
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on July 14, 2014. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Decreased government involvement in space programs has turned privatized space launch projects into big business.

Read related: The final frontier: how privatization is changing the need for space insurance

But with billion of dollars at stake, product liability problems are attracting the attention of lawmakers.

The competition between SpaceX and Colorado rocket giant United Launch Alliance over billion-dollar space launches has spurred Colorado U.S. Reps. Mike Coffman and Cory Gardner yesterday to demand that NASA make public any information about what they deemed has been “an epidemic of anomalies that have occurred during SpaceX launches or launch attempts.”

The joint letter from the congressmen–both Republicans facing tough election battles this fall–cites news accounts of anomalies and delays in SpaceX launches.

“Because the development of the vehicles and capsule in question were funded by NASA dollars, we request that you provide Congress with the information you have on the various aspects of risk and reliability from these programs, including contractual, management, technical, manufacturing, cost, schedule and safety,” wrote Coffman and Gardner.

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