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.

FMI: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/c3po/home/