Pentagon contract figures show that Ulas Vulcan Rocket is becoming more expensive

The launch assignments announced on Friday are the second party NSSL phase 3 missions that the Space Force has awarded to SpaceX and ULA.

It is important to remember that these prices are not what ULA or SpaceX would charge a commercial satellite customer. The US government pays a premium for access to space. The Space Force, the National Reconnaissance Office and NASA do not insure their launches like a commercial customer would do. Instead, government agencies have more insight into their launch contractors, including inspections, flight data assessments, risk assessments and security controls. Government missions usually also take priority over the launch schedules of ULA and SpaceX. All this amounts to more money.

A heavy burden

Four of the five launches awarded to SpaceX Friday, according to Lieutenant Kristina Stewart, will use the larger Falcon Heavy Rocket at Space Systems Command. One will fly on SpaceX's Workhorse Falcon 9. This is the first time that a majority of the annual launch assignments of the Space Force require the lift option of a Falcon Heavy, with three Falcon 9 boostercores that combine to switch on larger loads in space.

All versions of ULA's Vulcan Rocket use a single nuclear booster, with a ranging number of strap-on set rocket engines to offer extra thrust of the launch platform.

Here is a breakdown of the seven new missions assigned to SpaceX and ULA:

• USSF-149: Classified load on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Florida

• USSF-63: Classified load on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Florida

• USSF-155: Classified Load SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Florida

• USSF-205: WGS-12 Communication satellite on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Florida

• NROL-86: Classified load on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Florida

• USSF-88: GPS IIIF-4 Navigation satellite on an ULA Vulcan VC2S (two solid rocket boosters) from Florida

• NROL-88: Classified load on an ULA Vulcan VC4S (four solid rocket boosters) from Florida