NASA furthers space commercialization with OSC, SpaceX

William Atkins
Wednesday, 24 December 2008 22:27

Science - Space

These contracts are important for NASA because they will help the U.S. space agency to fulfill its obligations to provide cargo delivery to the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA plans to retire its space shuttle fleet (within the Space Transportation System program) in 2010.

The new NASA Project Constellation will not be operational until 2015, leaving about five years without a way for NASA vehicles to bring cargo and crews to the International Space Station.

U.S. astronaut crew members to the Space Station will be delivered by Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Additional information is found on the December 2, 2008 Orlando Sentinel article "NASA extends contract with Russian Federal Space Agency."

Beginning in 2015, NASA will introduce its operational Orion crewed space capsule and Ares launch vehicles for mission to the ISS. Later, Orion and Ares will team up to sent astronauts to the Moon and other bodies within the inner Solar System.

For additional information on the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster and Dragon spacecraft, check out the SpaceX website “NASA selects SpaceX's Falcon 9 booster and Dragon spacecraft for cargo resupply services to the International Space Station.”

More information on the OSC Cygnus maneuvering space vehicle and Taurus IITM medium-lift launch vehicle, visit “Orbital Selected by NASA For $1.9 Billion Space Station Cargo Delivery Contract.”