By Kevin McCauley
SpaceX, the leading commercial developer of rockets and spacecraft, has hired Patton Boggs to explore aerospace and manufacturing issues on Capitol Hill.
Former Senators Trent Lott and John Breaux headline the account that includes input from Norm Krayem, who heads PB’s homeland security, defense and technology group. Krayem has worked in the State, Commerce and Transportation Departments.
SpaceX sees big federal opportunities following its 2008win of a NASA contract to replace the cargo function of the now grounded Space Shuttle with its Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft.
It also expects to benefit from President Obama’s 2010 decision to outsource astronaut transport to the commercial sector.
The company, which is headed by Elon Musk who doubles as chief of electric car company Tesla Motors, is looking for a new launch site to support burgeoning demand from the private sector.
Currently, SpaceX has a launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and is developing one at Vanderberg Air Force Base in Calif. Its rocket development operation is in McGregor, Tex.
SpaceX is headquartered in Hawthorne, which is near Los Angeles International Airport.
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