The Air Force has certified the SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch System for national security space missions. The May 26 announcement, issued by Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, Commander of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center and Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space, signifies the first commercial foray into launch services in nearly a decade. The vehicle is a likely candidate to haul an Air Force global-positioning system satellite into orbit next month. The Los Angeles-based Space Exploration Technologies Corporation built the Falcon 9, under supervision from its lead designer and company chief executive officer, Elon Musk. The Air Force contributed $60 million and 150 people to the program as well.