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[i]This means that the Power and Propulsion Element built by Maxar and the pressurized Habitation and Logistics Outpost built by Northrop Grumman will be assembled together on the ground and then launched on a commercial rocket. By law, this launch must be competitively bid. But NASA has already studied the combined Gateway to ensure that at least one rocket flying today—SpaceX's Falcon Heavy booster—could loft it to lunar orbit. "We assured ourselves that it could be done with the Falcon Heavy," Loverro said. "We haven't selected the launch vehicle yet, but we had to assure ourselves that there would be at least one vehicle for it. And so we know the Falcon Heavy can do it, and we know that because they have to meet an Air Force Department of Defense requirement for an extended fairing. So there could be more than one option, but we had to verify at least one." Assembling the two initial elements of the Gateway on the ground reduces risk and saves the space agency money, Loverro said. "Quite frankly, it creates a much better foundation for the future," he said. "So we're really happy about that one."[/i]
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