commercial crew program ccp

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LAS VEGAS -- The Boeing Company tests the forward heat shield FHS jettison system of its CST-100 spacecraft at the Bigelow Aerospace facility in Las Vegas as part of an agreement with NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities. The FHS will protect the spacecraft's parachutes, rendezvous-and-docking sensor packages, and docking mechanism during ascent and re-entry. During a mission to low Earth orbit, the shield will be jettisoned after re-entry heating, allowing the spacecraft's air bags to deploy for a safe landing. In 2011, NASA selected Boeing for CCDev2 to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also were selected to mature launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada Corp. SNC, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Boeing    The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is developing the necessary ground systems, infrastructure and operational approaches required to safely process, assemble, transport and launch the next generation of rockets and spacecraft in support of NASA’s exploration objectives. Future work also will replace the antiquated communications, power and vehicle access resources with modern efficient systems. Some of the utilities and systems slated for replacement have been used since the VAB opened in 1965. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: Boeing KSC-2012-4386

LAS VEGAS -- The Boeing Company tests the forward heat shield FHS jett...

LAS VEGAS -- The Boeing Company tests the forward heat shield FHS jettison system of its CST-100 spacecraft at the Bigelow Aerospace facility in Las Vegas as part of an agreement with NASA's Commercial Crew Pro... More

POWAY, Calif. – During NASA's Commercial Crew Development Round 1 CCDev1 activities, the rocket motor under development by Sierra Nevada Corp. for its Dream Chaser spacecraft successfully fires at the company's rocket test facility located near San Diego. NASA team members reviewed the motor's system and then watched it fire three times in one day, including one firing under vacuum ignition conditions. The tests, which simulated a complete nominal mission profile, demonstrated the multiple restart capability of Sierra Nevada's hybrid rocket. Two of the company's designed and developed hybrid rocket motors will be used as the main propulsion system on the Dream Chaser after launching aboard an Atlas V rocket. Dream Chaser is one of five systems NASA invested in during CCDev1 in order to aid in the innovation and development of American-led commercial capabilities for crew transportation and rescue services to and from the International Space Station and other low Earth orbit destinations. In 2011, NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP entered into another funded Space Act Agreement with Sierra Nevada for the second round of commercial crew development CCDev2) so the company could further develop its Dream Chaser spacecraft for NASA transportation services. For information about CCP, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: Sierra Nevada Corp. KSC-2012-1013

POWAY, Calif. – During NASA's Commercial Crew Development Round 1 CCDe...

POWAY, Calif. – During NASA's Commercial Crew Development Round 1 CCDev1 activities, the rocket motor under development by Sierra Nevada Corp. for its Dream Chaser spacecraft successfully fires at the company's... More

BOULDER, Colo. – A Sierra Nevada Corp. team member examines the company's structural test article for the Dream Chaser spacecraft in the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Facility for Advanced Spatial Technology. The university is one of Sierra Nevada’s partners on the design and development of the Dream Chaser orbital crew vehicle. Dream Chaser is one of five systems NASA invested in during Commercial Crew Development Round 1 CCDev1 activities in order to aid in the innovation and development of American-led commercial capabilities for crew transportation and rescue services to and from the International Space Station and other low Earth orbit destinations. In 2011, NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP entered into another funded Space Act Agreement with Sierra Nevada for the second round of commercial crew development CCDev2) so the company could further develop its Dream Chaser spacecraft for NASA transportation services. For information about CCP, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: Sierra Nevada Corp. KSC-2012-1014

BOULDER, Colo. – A Sierra Nevada Corp. team member examines the compan...

BOULDER, Colo. – A Sierra Nevada Corp. team member examines the company's structural test article for the Dream Chaser spacecraft in the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Facility for Advanced Spatial Technol... More

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – During NASA's Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities for the Commercial Crew Program CCP, Sierra Nevada Corp. SNC built a Simulator and Avionics Laboratory to help engineers evaluate the Dream Chaser's characteristics during the piloted phases of flight. Located at Sierra Nevada’s Space Systems facility in Louisville, Colo., it consists of a physical cockpit and integrated simulation hardware and software. The simulator is linked to the Vehicle Avionics Integration Laboratory, or VAIL, which serves as a platform for Dream Chaser avionics development, engineering testing and integration. VAIL also will also be used for verification and validation of avionics and software.  Sierra Nevada is one of seven companies NASA entered into Space Act Agreements SAAs with during CCDev2 to aid in the innovation and development of American-led commercial capabilities for crew transportation and rescue services to and from the International Space Station and other low Earth orbit destinations. For information about CCP, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew.  Photo credit: Sierra Nevada Corp. KSC-2012-2891

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – During NASA's Commercial Crew Development Round 2 ...

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – During NASA's Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities for the Commercial Crew Program CCP, Sierra Nevada Corp. SNC built a Simulator and Avionics Laboratory to help engineers ... More

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – During NASA's Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities for the Commercial Crew Program CCP, Sierra Nevada Corp. SNC delivered the primary structure of its Dream Chaser flight test vehicle to the company’s office in Louisville, Colo. SNC engineers currently are assembling the full-scale prototype, which includes the integration of secondary structures and subsystems. This all-composite structure of the company's planned winged spacecraft, the Dream Chaser, will be used to carry out several remaining CCDev2 milestones including a captive carry flight and the first approach and landing test of the spacecraft. During the captive carry flight, a carrier aircraft will the Dream Chaser vehicle over NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif. Sierra Nevada is one of seven companies NASA entered into Space Act Agreements SAAs with during CCDev2 to aid in the innovation and development of American-led commercial capabilities for crew transportation and rescue services to and from the International Space Station and other low Earth orbit destinations. For information about CCP, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: Sierra Nevada Corp. KSC-2012-1308

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – During NASA's Commercial Crew Development Round 2 ...

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – During NASA's Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities for the Commercial Crew Program CCP, Sierra Nevada Corp. SNC delivered the primary structure of its Dream Chaser flight t... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of an Almaz capsule, the basis of Excalibur Almaz Inc.'s Human Spacecraft design. In 2011, NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP and the Houston-based company entered into an unfunded Space Act Agreement during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems ATK, Blue Origin, The Boeing Co., Sierra Nevada Corp., Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Excalibur Almaz Limited KSC-2012-1016

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of an Almaz cap...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of an Almaz capsule, the basis of Excalibur Almaz Inc.'s Human Spacecraft design. In 2011, NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP and the Houston-based company... More

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to media during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on information related to NASA's release of the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap Announcement for Proposals on Feb. 7. More than 50 industry partners and stakeholders from 25 aerospace companies attended the conference to find out what the space agency would be looking for in terms of milestones, funding, schedules, strategies, safety cultures, business modules and eventual flight certification standards of integrated crew space transportation systems.        The goal of the CCiCap is to develop an indigenous U.S. transportation system that can safely, affordably and routinely fly to low Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station. Proposals are due March 23 and NASA plans to award multiple Space Act Agreements, valued from $300 million to $500 million each, toward the development of fully integrated commercial crew transportation systems in the summer of 2012.  For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew   Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1333

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial C...

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to media during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on inform... More

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to industry partners and stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on information related to NASA's release of the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap Announcement for Proposals on Feb. 7. More than 50 people from 25 aerospace companies attended the conference to find out what the space agency would be looking for in terms of milestones, funding, schedules, strategies, safety cultures, business modules and eventual flight certification standards of integrated crew space transportation systems.          The goal of the CCiCap is to develop an indigenous U.S. transportation system that can safely, affordably and routinely fly to low Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station. Proposals are due March 23 and NASA plans to award multiple Space Act Agreements, valued from $300 million to $500 million each, toward the development of fully integrated commercial crew transportation systems in the summer of 2012.  For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew   Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1326

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial C...

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to industry partners and stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. ... More

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Lee Pagel, the NASA Participant Evaluation Panel PEP deputy for the Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to industry partners and stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on information related to NASA's release of the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap Announcement for Proposals on Feb. 7. More than 50 people from 25 aerospace companies attended the conference to find out what the space agency would be looking for in terms of milestones, funding, schedules, strategies, safety cultures, business modules and eventual flight certification standards of integrated crew space transportation systems. The goal of the CCiCap is to develop an indigenous U.S. transportation system that can safely, affordably and routinely fly to low Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station. Proposals are due March 23 and NASA plans to award multiple Space Act Agreements, valued from $300 million to $500 million each, toward the development of fully integrated commercial crew transportation systems in the summer of 2012. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew Photo credit: Kim Shiflett    The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is developing the necessary ground systems, infrastructure and operational approaches required to safely process, assemble, transport and launch the next generation of rockets and spacecraft in support of NASA’s exploration objectives. Future work also will replace the antiquated communications, power and vehicle access resources with modern efficient systems. Some of the utilities and systems slated for replacement have been used since the VAB opened in 1965. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1328

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Lee Pagel, the NASA Participant Evaluation Panel ...

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Lee Pagel, the NASA Participant Evaluation Panel PEP deputy for the Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to industry partners and stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard... More

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to media during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on information related to NASA's release of the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap Announcement for Proposals on Feb. 7. More than 50 industry partners and stakeholders from 25 aerospace companies attended the conference to find out what the space agency would be looking for in terms of milestones, funding, schedules, strategies, safety cultures, business modules and eventual flight certification standards of integrated crew space transportation systems.        The goal of the CCiCap is to develop an indigenous U.S. transportation system that can safely, affordably and routinely fly to low Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station. Proposals are due March 23 and NASA plans to award multiple Space Act Agreements, valued from $300 million to $500 million each, toward the development of fully integrated commercial crew transportation systems in the summer of 2012.  For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew   Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1332

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial C...

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to media during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on inform... More

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to industry partners and stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on information related to NASA's release of the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap Announcement for Proposals on Feb. 7. More than 50 people from 25 aerospace companies attended the conference to find out what the space agency would be looking for in terms of milestones, funding, schedules, strategies, safety cultures, business modules and eventual flight certification standards of integrated crew space transportation systems.        The goal of the CCiCap is to develop an indigenous U.S. transportation system that can safely, affordably and routinely fly to low Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station. Proposals are due March 23 and NASA plans to award multiple Space Act Agreements, valued from $300 million to $500 million each, toward the development of fully integrated commercial crew transportation systems in the summer of 2012.  For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew   Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1323

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial C...

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to industry partners and stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. ... More

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to industry partners and stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. At left, are Cheryl McPhillips, the NASA Participant Evaluation Panel PEP chair for the Commercial Crew Program CCP, and Lee Pagel, the NASA PEP deputy. The meeting focused on information related to NASA's release of the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap Announcement for Proposals on Feb. 7. More than 50 people from 25 aerospace companies attended the conference to find out what the space agency would be looking for in terms of milestones, funding, schedules, strategies, safety cultures, business modules and eventual flight certification standards of integrated crew space transportation systems. The goal of the CCiCap is to develop an indigenous U.S. transportation system that can safely, affordably and routinely fly to low Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station. Proposals are due March 23 and NASA plans to award multiple Space Act Agreements, valued from $300 million to $500 million each, toward the development of fully integrated commercial crew transportation systems in the summer of 2012. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew Photo credit: Kim Shiflett    The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is developing the necessary ground systems, infrastructure and operational approaches required to safely process, assemble, transport and launch the next generation of rockets and spacecraft in support of NASA’s exploration objectives. Future work also will replace the antiquated communications, power and vehicle access resources with modern efficient systems. Some of the utilities and systems slated for replacement have been used since the VAB opened in 1965. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1329

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial C...

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to industry partners and stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. ... More

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to media during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on information related to NASA's release of the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap Announcement for Proposals on Feb. 7. More than 50 industry partners and stakeholders from 25 aerospace companies attended the conference to find out what the space agency would be looking for in terms of milestones, funding, schedules, strategies, safety cultures, business modules and eventual flight certification standards of integrated crew space transportation systems.        The goal of the CCiCap is to develop an indigenous U.S. transportation system that can safely, affordably and routinely fly to low Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station. Proposals are due March 23 and NASA plans to award multiple Space Act Agreements, valued from $300 million to $500 million each, toward the development of fully integrated commercial crew transportation systems in the summer of 2012.  For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew   Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1330

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial C...

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to media during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on inform... More

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to media during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on information related to NASA's release of the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap Announcement for Proposals on Feb. 7. More than 50 industry partners and stakeholders from 25 aerospace companies attended the conference to find out what the space agency would be looking for in terms of milestones, funding, schedules, strategies, safety cultures, business modules and eventual flight certification standards of integrated crew space transportation systems.        The goal of the CCiCap is to develop an indigenous U.S. transportation system that can safely, affordably and routinely fly to low Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station. Proposals are due March 23 and NASA plans to award multiple Space Act Agreements, valued from $300 million to $500 million each, toward the development of fully integrated commercial crew transportation systems in the summer of 2012.  For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew   Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1331

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial C...

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to media during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on inform... More

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to industry partners and stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The meeting focused on information related to NASA's release of the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap Announcement for Proposals on Feb. 7. More than 50 people from 25 aerospace companies attended the conference to find out what the space agency would be looking for in terms of milestones, funding, schedules, strategies, safety cultures, business modules and eventual flight certification standards of integrated crew space transportation systems.    The goal of the CCiCap is to develop an indigenous U.S. transportation system that can safely, affordably and routinely fly to low Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station. Proposals are due March 23 and NASA plans to award multiple Space Act Agreements, valued from $300 million to $500 million each, toward the development of fully integrated commercial crew transportation systems in the summer of 2012.  For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew   Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1322

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial C...

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, talks to industry partners and stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of the Human Spacecraft being considered for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP. In 2011, NASA and Excalibur Almaz Inc. of Houston entered into an unfunded Space Act Agreement during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Blue Origin, The Boeing Co., Sierra Nevada Corp., Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercialcrew Image credit: Excalibur Almaz Inc. KSC-2012-1823

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of the Human Sp...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is an artist's conception of the Human Spacecraft being considered for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP. In 2011, NASA and Excalibur Almaz Inc. of Houston entered into an unfunded... More

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. -- The Boeing Company's CST-100 boilerplate crew capsule floats toward a smooth landing beneath three main parachutes after being released from an Erickson Sky Crane helicopter at about 11,000 feet above Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev. This is one of two tests that Boeing will perform for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP in order to validate the spacecraft's parachute system architecture and deployment scheme, characterize pyrotechnic shock loads, confirm parachute sizing and design, and identify potential forward compartment packaging and deployment issues. In 2011, NASA selected Boeing during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Boeing KSC-2012-1952

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. -- The Boeing Company's CST-100 boilerplate...

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. -- The Boeing Company's CST-100 boilerplate crew capsule floats toward a smooth landing beneath three main parachutes after being released from an Erickson Sky Crane helicopter at abo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is a printable version of NASA's "Same Crew, New Ride" poster depicting an artist's conception of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP. The poster features a NASA astronaut in the foreground with a vehicle launching toward the International Space Station in the background. CCP is investing in the aerospace industry and helping multiple companies design and develop crew transportation systems that could be capable of flying to the space station and other low Earth orbit destinations. The program is meant to accelerate a United States-led capability to the station where critical scientific work is being performed for use in applications here on Earth. CCP is expected to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Poster designed by Kennedy Space Center Graphics Department/Greg Lee. Credit: NASA KSC-2012-1804

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is a printable version of NASA's "Same Cr...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is a printable version of NASA's "Same Crew, New Ride" poster depicting an artist's conception of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP. The poster features a NASA astronaut in the for... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, Ed Mango, hosts a virtual conversation, called a Tweet Chat, with Twitter followers from around the world. Those who follow www.twitter.com/commercial_crew had an hour-long opportunity to ask Mango questions about NASA’s efforts to get astronauts to low Earth orbit and the International Space Station aboard American rockets and spacecraft. Mango stuck to the social networking service's 140 character limit and answered dozens of questions. At left, is Brittani Sims, a member of the CCP team.            The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Seven aerospace companies are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under the program’s second round of development, called Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2), including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, The Boeing Co., Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: NASA/Gianni Woods KSC-2012-2645

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program C...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, Ed Mango, hosts a virtual conversation, called a Tweet Chat, with Twitter followers from around the world. Those who follow www.twitter.... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, Ed Mango, hosts a virtual conversation, called a Tweet Chat, with Twitter followers from around the world. Those who follow www.twitter.com/commercial_crew had an hour-long opportunity to ask Mango questions about NASA’s efforts to get astronauts to low Earth orbit and the International Space Station aboard American rockets and spacecraft. Mango stuck to the social networking service's 140 character limit and answered dozens of questions. At left, is Brittani Sims, a member of the CCP team.        The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Seven aerospace companies are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under the program’s second round of development, called Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2), including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, The Boeing Co., Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: NASA/Gianni Woods KSC-2012-2647

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program C...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, Ed Mango, hosts a virtual conversation, called a Tweet Chat, with Twitter followers from around the world. Those who follow www.twitter.... More

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule floats to a smooth landing beneath three main parachutes over the Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev. This is the second parachute test that Boeing performed under its partnership with NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP. The first showed the parachute system’s deployment scheme worked and that it could be re-packed and re-used for this second test.      In 2011, NASA selected Boeing during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Boeing KSC-2012-2691

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule...

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule floats to a smooth landing beneath three main parachutes over the Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev. This is the second parachute test t... More

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – An Erickson Sky Crane helicopter releases The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule over the Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev., where it floated to a smooth landing beneath its parachute system. This is the second parachute test that Boeing performed under its partnership with NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP. The first showed the parachute system’s deployment scheme worked and that it could be re-packed and re-used for this second test.           In 2011, NASA selected Boeing during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Boeing KSC-2012-2689

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – An Erickson Sky Crane helicopter releases...

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – An Erickson Sky Crane helicopter releases The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule over the Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev., where it floated to a smooth landing beneath its ... More

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule floats to a smooth landing beneath three main parachutes over the Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev. This is the second parachute test that Boeing performed under its partnership with NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP. The first showed the parachute system’s deployment scheme worked and that it could be re-packed and re-used for this second test.        In 2011, NASA selected Boeing during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Boeing KSC-2012-2690

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule...

DELAMAR DRY LAKE BED, Nev. – The Boeing Company's CST-100 crew capsule floats to a smooth landing beneath three main parachutes over the Delamar Dry Lake Bed near Alamo, Nev. This is the second parachute test t... More

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- From left, Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and Commercial Crew Program CCP, Manager Ed Mango announce the newest partners of NASA's Commercial Crew Program from Operations Support Building 2 OSB II at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Three integrated systems were selected for CCP's Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap initiative to propel America's next human space transportation system to low Earth orbit forward. Operating under funded Space Act Agreements SAAs, The Boeing Co. of Houston, Sierra Nevada Corp. SNC Space Systems of Louisville, Colo., and Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX of Hawthorne, Calif., will spend the next 21 months completing their designs, conducting critical risk reduction testing on their spacecraft and launch vehicles, and showcasing how they would operate and manage missions from launch through orbit and landing, setting the stage for future demonstration missions. To learn more about CCP, which is based at Kennedy and supported by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-4204

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- From left, Kennedy Space Center Director Rober...

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- From left, Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and Commercial Crew Program CCP, Manager Ed Mango announce the newest partners of NASA's Commerc... More

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announces the newest partners of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP from Operations Support Building 2 OSB II at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Three integrated systems were selected for CCP's Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap initiative to propel America's next human space transportation system to low Earth orbit forward. Operating under funded Space Act Agreements SAAs, The Boeing Co. of Houston, Sierra Nevada Corp. SNC Space Systems of Louisville, Colo., and Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX of Hawthorne, Calif., will spend the next 21 months completing their designs, conducting critical risk reduction testing on their spacecraft and launch vehicles, and showcasing how they would operate and manage missions from launch through orbit and landing, setting the stage for future demonstration missions. To learn more about CCP, which is based at Kennedy and supported by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-4208

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announces th...

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announces the newest partners of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP from Operations Support Building 2 OSB II at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Three ... More

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announces the newest partners of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP from Operations Support Building 2 OSB II at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At left, is Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana and at right, is Commercial Crew Program CCP Manager Ed Mango. Three integrated systems were selected for CCP's Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap initiative to propel America's next human space transportation system to low Earth orbit forward. Operating under funded Space Act Agreements SAAs, The Boeing Co. of Houston, Sierra Nevada Corp. SNC Space Systems of Louisville, Colo., and Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX of Hawthorne, Calif., will spend the next 21 months completing their designs, conducting critical risk reduction testing on their spacecraft and launch vehicles, and showcasing how they would operate and manage missions from launch through orbit and landing, setting the stage for future demonstration missions. To learn more about CCP, which is based at Kennedy and supported by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-4206

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announces th...

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announces the newest partners of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP from Operations Support Building 2 OSB II at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At lef... More

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announces the newest partners of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP from Operations Support Building 2 OSB II at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At left, is Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana, and at right, is Commercial Crew Program CCP Manager Ed Mango. Three integrated systems were selected for CCP's Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCiCap initiative to propel America's next human space transportation system to low Earth orbit forward. Operating under funded Space Act Agreements SAAs, The Boeing Co. of Houston, Sierra Nevada Corp. SNC Space Systems of Louisville, Colo., and Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX of Hawthorne, Calif., will spend the next 21 months completing their designs, conducting critical risk reduction testing on their spacecraft and launch vehicles, and showcasing how they would operate and manage missions from launch through orbit and landing, setting the stage for future demonstration missions. To learn more about CCP, which is based at Kennedy and supported by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-4207

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announces th...

Cape Canaveral, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden announces the newest partners of NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP from Operations Support Building 2 OSB II at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At lef... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, left, and Brent Jett, CCP's deputy program manager, host a forum for the commercial spaceflight industry to introduce the agency's plans for certifying commercially developed spacecraft and launch systems in support of crewed missions to the International Space Station around the middle of the decade. To learn more about CCP, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-4332

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercia...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, left, and Brent Jett, CCP's deputy program manager, host a forum for the commercial spaceflight industry to introduce th... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, left, and Brent Jett, CCP's deputy program manager, host a forum for the commercial spaceflight industry to introduce the agency's plans for certifying commercially developed spacecraft and launch systems in support of crewed missions to the International Space Station around the middle of the decade. To learn more about CCP, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-4331

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercia...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program CCP, left, and Brent Jett, CCP's deputy program manager, host a forum for the commercial spaceflight industry to introduce th... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At a news conference NASA officials and industry partners discuss progress of the agency's Commercial Crew Program CCP. Participating in the briefing, from the left are, Mike Curie, NASA Public Affairs, Ed Mango, NASA Commercial Crew Program manager, Phil McAlister, NASA Commercial Spaceflight Development director, Rob Meyerson, Blue Origin president and program manager, John Mulholland, The Boeing Company Commercial Programs Space Exploration vice president and program manager, Mark Sirangelo, Sierra Nevada Corp. vice president and SNC Space Systems chairman and Garrett Reisman, Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX Commercial Crew project manager.      Through CCP, NASA is facilitating the development of U.S. commercial crew space transportation capabilities to achieve safe, reliable and cost-effective access to and from low-Earth orbit for potential future government and commercial customers. For more information, visit   http://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2013-1046

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At a news conference NASA officials and indust...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At a news conference NASA officials and industry partners discuss progress of the agency's Commercial Crew Program CCP. Participating in the briefing, from the left are, Mike Curie, NASA... More