WASHINGTON — Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space rocket (and SpaceX rival) was awarded a $500m USAF deal last week.<br /><br />The funding is for development of the company's reusable New Glenn heavy rocket.<br /><br />According to Reuters, the U.S. Air Force last week doled out over $2 billion in deals with aerospace manufacturers for the development of new rocket technology. <br /><br />The Air Force said in a news release that United Launch Alliance was awarded a contract to for its "Vulcan-Centaur" system. Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems will also receive funding to develop its "OmegA" rocket.<br /><br />The funding comes as the U.S. seeks to transition away from foreign-built space systems, especially the Russian RD 180 engine.
