The Vision for Space Exploration requires NASA to pursue commercial opportunities to provide transportation and other services needed by ISS and Exploration. As a first step, NASA began the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) initiative in 2006. NASA entered into agreements with Rocketplane Kistler and SpaceX to share up to $485M to demonstrate cargo transportation services to and from LEO, with an option for additional funds to demonstrate human transportation. NASA also has unfunded agreements with PlanetSpace and t/Space. Once demonstrated, NASA plans to purchase commercial transportation services for ISS. Managed by the Commercial Crew & Cargo Program, COTS provides NASA with a commercial alternative after Shuttle retires to serving ISS. By offering routine LEO access, COTS may also stimulate new markets in space. The Program is exploring the application of such innovative partnership methods to other NASA needs (such as commercial technologies/services for returning to the moon) to lower Government costs while stimulating the U.S. economy.
June 1st, 2007
Dear Colleague,
The Alliance for Commercial Enterprises in Space (ACES), a partner of the NASA Space Portal, is working closely with personnel at NASA Ames Research Center and the NASA Johnson Space Center to promote and support the new commercial space industry. This includes support of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program which is critical to key entrepreneurial space initiatives. This questionnaire is intended to collect useful input for NASA in its planning for future commercial space activities and initiatives. These include the role of commercial space in the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory, a significant new opportunity for the new commercial space industry in the years to come. A NASA sponsored workshop on the ISS National Lab is currently being planned for October of this year.
Your inputs will help inform and guide planning for NASA’s activities and efforts for support and promotion of the new commercial space industry. If you know of someone who should also be participating, please feel free to forward the questionnaire. Your time in responding to the questions below is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Phil Smith, CEO
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May 16th, 2007
International Space Station & Commercial Space Workshop at NASA AMES
May 16 - 18, 2007
More information coming soon.
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April 2nd, 2007
Visit back again soon to learn more about exciting opportunities in Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS).
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