Sun, Aug 09, 2009
Hopes $50 Million Will Spur Private Sector Space Program
NASA’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Program is applying
Recovery Act funds to stimulate efforts within the private sector
to develop and demonstrate human spaceflight capabilities. These
efforts are intended to foster entrepreneurial activity leading to
job growth in engineering, analysis, design, and research, and to
economic growth as capabilities for new markets are created. By
developing commercial crew service providers, NASA may be able to
reduce the gap in U.S. human spaceflight capability. All ARRA
funded activities must comply with its provisions and will conclude
no later than September 30, 2010.
The program intends to solicit proposals from all interested
U.S. industry participants to mature the design and development of
commercial crew spaceflight concepts and associated enabling
technologies and capabilities. NASA plans to use its Space Act
authority to invest up to $50 million dollars in multiple
competitively awarded, funded agreements. This activity is referred
to as Commercial Crew Development, or CCDev.
An Announcement soliciting proposals for Space Act Agreements
(SAAs) is currently planned to be released on or about August 10,
2009, with proposals due approximately 45 days later. The award of
SAAs is planned for November 2009.
NASA does not intend to issue a draft of the Announcement but
does plan to conduct a pre-proposal conference at JSC on August
13th , at the Gilruth Center’s Ball Room, at 10:00 am, to
discuss the solicitation and answer questions.
NASA will only consider proposals from U.S. commercial providers
as defined by the Commercial Space Act of 1998.
The Commercial Crew and Cargo program also manages NASA’s
Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) partnership
agreements with U.S. industry to help develop safe, reliable and
cost-effective systems to carry cargo and eventually crew to
low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station. Additional
background information on NASA’s Commercial Crew and Cargo
Program and COTS may be found online.
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