Today the U.S. Air Force issued a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NRO and NASA that serves as a joint agreement on the process they will use to allow new companies to compete to provide launch services.

The MOU will be followed by detailed guidance for prospective new entrants.

"SpaceX welcomes the opportunity to compete for Air Force launches. We are reviewing the MOU, and we expect to have a far better sense of our task after the detailed requirements are released in the coming weeks," said Adam Harris, SpaceX Vice President of Government Affairs.

The U.S. Air Force is the largest launch customer in the world, but is currently served by a monopoly provider whose prices have consistently risen.

Equitable criteria for new entrants, coupled with meaningful opportunities for competition, would save the American taxpayer billions.

"Fair and open competition for commercial launch providers is an essential element of protecting taxpayer dollars," said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO.

"Our American-made Falcon vehicles can deliver assured, responsive access to space that will meet warfighter needs while reducing costs for our military customers."