Mon, Jan 16, 2006
NASA's Constellation Program is making progress toward selecting
a prime contractor to design, develop and build the Crew
Exploration Vehicle (CEV), America's first new human spacecraft in
30 years.
The agency has issued Phase II of a Request for Proposals. It is
a 'Call for Improvements' that incorporates the results of
additional analysis and study. Phase II adds detailed design,
development and production requirements. Phase II proposals will be
evaluated and used to select a single CEV contractor later this
year.
The CEV is a key element of the Constellation Program, which
will help NASA realize the Vision for Space Exploration. The CEV
will transport up to six crew members to and from the International
Space Station and up to four to and from the moon. It will also
support future Mars missions.
For the first time, the Phase II Request for Proposals specifies
a configuration for the spacecraft: an improved, blunt-body crew
capsule shape. Requirements are based on future exploration mission
needs and the desire to fly the first CEV mission as close as
possible to 2010, when the space shuttle will be retired. Phase I
resulted in contract awards in July 2005 for CEV systems
requirements definition to teams led by Lockheed Martin Corp. and
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. Phase II proposals are due March 20,
2006.
The Vision for Space Exploration calls for humans to journey to
the moon, Mars and other destinations. For more information about
NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit:
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