United Launch Alliance Sale? Rocket Developer to Join Other Space Companies says Sources

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 01 March 2023, 10:03 pm

The famous space company and rocket manufacturer, United Launch Alliance, is now leaked to be looking at a possible sale of its entirety, soon to join other companies in the industry. There is no concrete information behind this sale and what would it mean for the future of the company, especially as there are many more missions and ventures in place for its future.

The talks center on the upcoming merger it would see in the coming years, with many interested companies already looking to deliver for ULA, with the likes of Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, and more.

United Launch Alliance is Possibly Selling says Sources, But Why?

(Photo : Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images)

According to a report by Ars Technica, one of the most influential space companies in the US, United Launch Alliance, may be sold later this year, should a deal be made. The sale remains secret to the public and the organizers of the sale, Morgan Stanley and Bain & Company are already arranging for this sale to take place.

Interested buyers were already contacted by these middlemen regarding ULA's sale, and it is yet unknown who is interested to purchase it.

It is known that ULA was formed as part of Lockheed Martin and Boeing's agreement to merge their launch business as one entity, both owning an equal 50 percent stake.

Who Will Buy ULA among the Many US Space Companies?

The report centers on different space companies posing to purchase ULA, and among the top contenders are its owners, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The merger would be ideal as they already own massive stakes in the company but is unknown who will take its entirety.

There also are claims that it would be Amazon or Blue Origin to buy it, considering that Jeff Bezos' space company has significant launch deals with United Launch Alliance.

Lastly, there is a mention of Northrop Grumman looking to expand its business and is also a potential buyer.

United Launch Alliance and its Missions

One of the most significant roles of the United Launch Alliance is its mission together with the Department of Defense and NASA, to launch its many satellites and astronauts into space. There were significant orders secured by NASA to ULA to carry out national security missions and loads toward the heavenly cosmos.

Among the many rockets of ULA is the famous Atlas spacecraft which has been in service for NASA for many years now, but it recently saw challenges in the past, and in 2021, was the cause of delay for Space Force's missile satellites.

There is also the famed Delta rocket from the space company which proved to bring different payloads to orbit, doing its country's bidding.

The company is operating for nearly 20 years now since it was first formed back in 2005 to do the government's bidding and ensure the Atlas and Delta rockets continue their operations.

For now, it is unknown if this sale would take place and have ULA merge with other space companies, especially with the many interested parties present.