Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

NASA Holds Competition to Develop Space Vehicles

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the outsourcing-works dept.

BlueCup writes to tell us that the US space agency is holding a competition to develop space vehicles NASA doesn't have the time or resources to develop. The winning companies will get $500 million and NASA will merely lease them as the need arises. From the article: "NASA hopes the private-sector vehicles can bridge an expected gap between when the space shuttle fleet is grounded in 2010 and the crew exploration vehicle is flying in 2014. A thriving commercial space transportation industry also can offer researchers, and others, opportunities to send payloads into space without relying on NASA's crowded space shuttle schedule or worrying 'that the government will decide next month or next year not to launch,' Griffin said."

10 of 227 comments (clear)

  1. I have a winner by DoubleRing · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oooh! I have a design I've been working on in the weekends, not that I'm an engineer or anything. If anyone had a link to where we can submit our designs...I'm sure I would win. Umm, they're not asking for a working prototype are they? So, when can I expect my 500 million?

    --
    Before you die, you see DoubleRing...
    1. Re:I have a winner by heptapod · · Score: 2, Funny

      Oh no, I saw the plans myself and it's just a surplus submarine fitted with a Dean drive!

      It works! Honest! Newton's Fourth Law or something!!!

  2. Re:Great for a one shot vehicle... by QuantumG · · Score: 4, Funny

    I know it's hard for people to understand this, but spacecraft are not monolithic. You can design a space capsule and then launch it on any launcher that has a standard profile. Kinda like being about to run an application on any operating system, oh wait, no, hang on. Kinda like being able to use any razorblade in your razor. Ok, not a good example either. I know, kinda like being able to use any kind of tires on your car! Yes, that'll do.

    --
    How we know is more important than what we know.
  3. Re:Great for a one shot vehicle... by alshithead · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yup, those 15 inch tires fit great on 17 inch rims...

    --
    I reserve the right to think for myself. Others' opinions are optional. Puppy on lap = typos...not illiteracy.
  4. Re:How about the Russians? by eviltypeguy · · Score: 2, Funny

    At least the money stays here then -- remember, buy corrupt, buy American (only half-joking).

  5. spinners in space by Cr0t · · Score: 2, Funny

    I started to laugh so hard after I read the title. The first thing that came me was some weird looking space mobile with spinners, hydraulics and the aliens from mars keep on yelling turn down the bass bro!

  6. NASA? by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) · · Score: 3, Funny

    What's NASA? Some kind of lottery agency? Prizes for this. Prizes for that. Are they based in Vegas?

    --
    Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
  7. Re:The Private Sector by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You're joking, right? Let's see number of people put into space by free enterprise: 0.66 (X-Prize did not make it to LEO)
    Number of people put into space by Marxist governments: One metric fuckton

  8. Re:The Private Sector by alshithead · · Score: 2, Funny

    Please, could you convert metric fucktons to English fucktons?

    --
    I reserve the right to think for myself. Others' opinions are optional. Puppy on lap = typos...not illiteracy.
  9. Well hell by mgabrys_sf · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just have it featured on Monster Garage and we'll be back in space in no time... ..with chrome headers, multi-pipes, and air scoops that serve no purpose in orbit.

    The science may not be the deepest, but hey - we'd have the most bitchin' ride this side of
    the solar system.

    Now where's my fuzzy dice...