SpaceX Wins Its First Military Contract, Wants to Land a Capsule on Mars by 2018

My two cents: first, why does it cost us (the taxpayer) $87.2 million to launch a satellite into orbit? Second, I'm curious as to the reason that United Launch Alliance (a joint partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin) didn't bid on this one...was $87.2 million not enough money for them?

Congrats to SpaceX on their first military contract. I remember just a few years ago when they were still a joke (in my opinion) and never thought they would amount to anything. Maybe this is the beginning of some increased competition in the space market that will in turn increase productivity/new research, as well as reducing costs in the long run through multiple bidders.