Former NASA chief turned ULA lobbyist seeks law to limit SpaceX funding
Ars Technica
by
Eric Berger
March 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has expressed support for a new provision in the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2025, which aims to limit NASA’s spending on launch services to no more than 50% of its budget for any single provider. This legislation is intended to foster competition among American space companies, ensuring that both civil and national security space missions are supported by a robust industrial base. Bridenstine, who now serves as a lobbyist for United Launch Alliance (ULA), believes that competition drives innovation and growth in the tech sector.
The proposed law reflects concerns about the dominance of SpaceX in NASA’s launch contracts. By capping funding at 50%, it would prevent any single company from holding too much influence over NASA’s operations. Bridenstine praised Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) for their leadership in advancing this provision, which is expected
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Originally published on Ars Technica on 3/2/2026