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NASA Asks Boeing, SpaceX To Stop Work On Next-Gen Space Taxi

Posted by samzenpus on from the take-a-break dept.

BarbaraHudson writes Due to a challenge by Sierra Nevada, NASA has asked the winners for the next earth-to-orbit launch vehicles to halt work, at least temporarily. "After rewarding Boeing and SpaceX with the contracts to build the spacecrafts NASA is now asking the companies to stop their work on the project. The move comes after aerospace company Sierra Nevada filed a protest of the decision after losing out on the bid. Sierra Nevada was competing against Boeing and SpaceX for a share of the $6.8 billion CCP contracts. The contracts will cover all phases of development as well as testing and operational flights. Each contract will cover a minimum of two flights and a maximum of four, with each agency required to have one test flight with a NASA representative on board.... According to NASA's Public Affairs Office, this legal protest stops all work currently being done under these contracts. However, officials have not commented on whether-or-not the companies can continue working if they are using private funds."

2 of 139 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Ridiculous by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 3, Funny

    My thoughts exactly, which is why I had added "Sierra Nevada's orbiter resembles a mini space shuttle. That alone (remember the problems with the tiles) should have been enough to disqualify them." It got dropped in the final version, but that's okay.

    The necessary design compromises can't be overcome at this time, and you end up with a "space plane" that flies like a brick. If you really want wings, buy a box of Kotex.

    --
    "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
  2. Welcome my friends by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 3, Funny
    To the always ethical, always honest, always better in all ways private and free market.

    While those half communist Government suckling pigs were frittering away your precious tax dollars, we are on our way to the promised land with private industries superior and more efficient offerings.

    So now, we'll bring entire programs to their knees with good old fashioned American core values.

    The invisible hand of the free market is jacking us off.

    With 40 grit sandpaper.

    --
    The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.