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Competition to Build the Space Shuttle's Successor

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the strap-a-rocket-to-a-dodge-dart dept.

Neil Halelamien writes "The competition for the prime contract to build the Crew Exploration Vehicle, the successor to the Space Shuttle, is ramping up. Currently, 11 different companies are creating preliminary designs for systems and vehicles which could be useful in implementing NASA's Vision for Space Exploration. By the end of the year, NASA will select two teams to independently develop and build a CEV design. The two teams will launch competing unmanned prototypes in 2008, at which point NASA will award a final winning contract. Aerospace giants Boeing and Northrop Grumman have formed one team. Another "all-star" team, announced a couple of days ago, is headed by Lockheed Martin. A third team in the running is underdog t/Space, a company with a free enterprise approach to space exploration, which includes notable figures from the commercial spaceflight arena, such as Burt Rutan and Gary Hudson. There is concern that a NASA budget boost to help pay for the exploration program could draw some opposition, as most other government programs are anticipating budget cuts."

6 of 345 comments (clear)

  1. foist poist by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    bleh!

  2. It writes itself by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    By the end of the year, NASA will select two teams to independently develop and build a CEV design

    I've got $100 on the YF-19 !

  3. Re:YOU FUCKING FUCKS. All your base are belong to by stupidfoo · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    hey hey... simmer down!

    Michael Sims is gone!

  4. I probably fail it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    First post! Or maybe not, nevermind.

  5. Article summary repost with important points added by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    "The competition for the prime contract to build the Crew Exploration Vehicle, the successor to the Space Shuttle, is ramping up. Michael Sims has been fired. Currently, 11 different companies are creating preliminary designs for systems and vehicles which could be useful in implementing NASA's Vision for Space Exploration. Michael Sims has been fired. By the end of the year, NASA will select two teams to independently develop and build a CEV design. Michael Sims has been fired. The two teams will launch competing unmanned prototypes in 2008, at which point NASA will award a final winning contract. Aerospace giants Boeing and Northrop Grumman have formed one team. Michael Sims has been fired. Another "all-star" team, announced a couple of days ago, is headed by Lockheed Martin. A third team in the running is underdog t/Space, a company with a free enterprise approach to space exploration, which includes notable figures from the commercial spaceflight arena, such as Burt Rutan and Gary Hudson. Michael Sims has been fired. There is concern that a NASA budget boost to help pay for the exploration program could draw some opposition, as most other government programs are anticipating budget cuts."
    Michael Sims has been fired.

  6. MOD PARENT UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    You whining hippie pinko commies.