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Delta-V

This blog focuses on the nuts-and-bolts of space technology. We're interested in the hardware that's actually going into orbit and beyond. We write about what's involved in building, launching, and operating spacecraft, exploration vehicles, and habitats (and what it takes on the ground to support them) today.

Delta-V is written by Stephen Cass, a senior editor at TR who has covered space technology and exploration for nine years, and Brittany Sauser, a space technology reporter at TR.

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NASA Funds Crew Concepts

Space agency allocates $50 million to private companies.

By Brittany Sauser

Yesterday the Obama administration announced it's 2010 budget for NASA, which scraps plans to return to the moon by 2020 and focuses on using commercial companies to ferry astronauts into orbit. NASA has wasted no time in pushing ahead with this plan, awarding $50 million to five different companies for the development of concepts and technology for human spaceflight.

The money was awarded through an open competition for funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. Blue Origin, based in Kent, WA, will receive $3.7 million; the Boeing Company of Houston will receive $18 million; Paragon Space Development Corporation of Tucson, AZ, will receive $1.4 million; Sierra Nevada Corporation, based in Louisville, CO, will receive $20 million; and United Launch Alliance of Centennial, CO, will received $6.7 million.

The awards are the first step in NASA's investment in commercial human spaceflight. In 2008 the agency awarded Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) a $1.6 billion contract to provide a launch vehicle capable of reaching the space station. The contract was for a cargo-carrying spacecraft, with an option of developing a version for crew.

The White House's initial budget proposal has allocated $500 million in 2011 financial year for commercial crew concepts, and $312 million for commercial cargo development. In the 2012 financial year commercial crew expenditure is expected to increase to $1.4 billion.

Tags: nasa, launch vehicles, Obama Administration, space exploration, NASA budget

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>>> NASA is DEAD >>>

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NASA is DEAD killed by:
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1. the Ares-1/5 LOBBY that wanted to earn over $50 billion of US taxpayers money to (just) develop two (BAD designed and NOT working) rockets
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2. the Augustine Commission that has given to the US politics the ILLUSION that a "commercial space" exists and can replace the Shuttle and the Orion
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3. the global economy and financial crisis that forced all governments (and especially the US one) to cut all unnecessary expenses and programs
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but the most amazingly humoristic part of the new US spaceflight plan, is the $20 million (NOT $20 billion!!!) awarded to Sierra Nevada Corp. to ("""just""") develop and build a new Space Shuttle... :-)))
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