Today is NASA's deadline for industry partners to submit proposals seeking a piece of roughly $200 million expected to be awarded in 2011 for advancing commercial crew transportation systems. The funding is being offered under the second round of NASA's Commercial Crew Development program, known as "CCDev," which in February awarded $50 million in federal stimulus funds to five companies: Blue Origin ($3.7 million), The Boeing Co. ($18 million), Paragon Space Development Corp. ($1.4 million), Sierra Nevada Corp. ($20 million) and United Launch Alliance ($6.7 million).
The second round plans to further mature launch vehicle or spacecraft systems such as crew capsules and systems for life support, launch abort and emergency detection.
Contract awards for the second round are expected to be made in March, when first round projects were scheduled for completion.
NASA will not identify who submits proposals or the number of proposals it receives.
In a press release today, The Boeing Co. said it had submitted a proposal to continue work on a capsule designed to carry up to seven passengers to the International Space Station or private stations being developed by Bigelow Aerospace.
IMAGE: Artist's rendering of Boeing's proposed Crew Space Transportation-100 spacecraft. Credit: Boeing
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about the Space Shuttle and the NASA "future" ...
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http://www.ghostnasa.com/posts2/062nasadecline.html
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http://www.ghostnasa.com/posts2/074redshuttle.html
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http://www.ghostnasa.com/posts2/061comparison.html
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What a SCAM!!!
How is this a scam?
The whole commerical Obama space plan.... thats what the scam is!!!!
Efficient production and multiple options for access to space is a scam!
I asked how it's a scam, not what you are referring to as a scam. Without something to back up your claim, it's just an empty, hollow, meaningless comment.
I have no problem with "commercial space" providing LEO crew transfer solutions. I think it makes perfect sense and I think there is little question that they can do it very efficiently.
The problem is that NASA has also seemingly taken itself out of the heavy lift and exploration business as well and that is simply unacceptable. The fact that we haven't been back to the Moon and not on Mars yet is unacceptable. In my humble opinion, nothing would provide more inspiration to young people or better return on investment than a meaningful exploration program.
You should try reading sometime. The HLV is still on the table.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/12/heft-sls-hlv-design-decision-april-2011/
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