Space

NASA narrows commercial manned spacecraft competition

NASA narrows commercial manned spacecraft competition
A concept image of Sierra Corporation's Dream Chaser at the International Space Station (Image: SNC)
A concept image of Sierra Corporation's Dream Chaser at the International Space Station (Image: SNC)
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A mock-up of the crew compartment planned for the SpaceX Dragon (Photo: SpaceX)
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A mock-up of the crew compartment planned for the SpaceX Dragon (Photo: SpaceX)
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft (Image: SpaceX)
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SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft (Image: SpaceX)
A concept image of Sierra Corporation's Dream Chaser at the International Space Station (Image: SNC)
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A concept image of Sierra Corporation's Dream Chaser at the International Space Station (Image: SNC)
Concept image of Boeing's CST-100 docking (Image: Boeing)
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Concept image of Boeing's CST-100 docking (Image: Boeing)
Interior of Boeing's CST-100 (Image: Boeing)
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Interior of Boeing's CST-100 (Image: Boeing)
Sierra Corporation's Dream Chaser undergoing carry tether test (Photo: SNC)
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Sierra Corporation's Dream Chaser undergoing carry tether test (Photo: SNC)
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Today NASA announced that it has reduced the number of companies competing to produce the first privately built and operated manned spacecraft, to three. The current competitors for the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative are now Sierra Nevada Corporation (which will receive a development contract of US$212.5 million), Space Exploration Technologies (aka SpaceX, receiving $440 million) and the Boeing Company (getting $460 million). This is the third round of initiatives designed to promote the development of manned private spacecraft that will be available to the US government to fly crews to the International Space Station (ISS), as well as being available to private customers.

The CCiCap, part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP), now moves on to the next phase in the initiative that will see the companies perform tests and develop their designs to operational levels by May 31, 2014. Meanwhile, NASA will continue developing the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) and the Space Launch System (SLS) for heavy lift and deep space operations.

The competitors

The most easily identifiable of the the three competing designs is Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser Space System. Based on an abandoned NASA project, it’s the only lifting body in the competition. It resembles a trimmed-down Space Shuttle and is intended to be lifted into orbit atop a conventional booster and then return as a glider. It carries up to seven passengers.

Sierra Corporation's Dream Chaser undergoing carry tether test (Photo: SNC)
Sierra Corporation's Dream Chaser undergoing carry tether test (Photo: SNC)

So far, it has achieved 19 development milestones including its first captive carry flight. The new contact will be used to fund an Approach and Landing Test scheduled for later this year. Sierra Nevada hopes that the Dream Chaser will be operation by 2016.

Built by the most seasoned competitor, the Boeing Commercial Crew Transportation System (CST-100) draws on Boeing’s fifty-plus years of manned spacecraft experience.

Interior of Boeing's CST-100 (Image: Boeing)
Interior of Boeing's CST-100 (Image: Boeing)

It’s also a seven-person ship and shows the legacy of Boeing’s earlier work on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, with its capsule shape looking like an oversized Apollo Command Module. Boeing has already completed testing on the CST-100’s engine, abort systems, and attitude and landing control systems. It’s preparing now for the craft’s first flight on an Atlas V rocket as early as 2016.

Finally, there is the Dragon from SpaceX. This is the only competing craft to have already flown, with a successful unmanned mission delivering cargo to the ISS. Again, a seven-person design, the Dragon spearheads SpaceX’s new open-ended approach aimed at a reusable manned spacecraft where both craft and booster can make a powered landing for recovery.

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft (Image: SpaceX)
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft (Image: SpaceX)

Despite having flown, Dragon is still undergoing tests in order to achieve a manned rating. The current program includes testing of its advanced launch escape system powered by integrated SuperDraco engines, an in-flight abort test at the moment of maximum aerodynamic drag, as well as tests of the propulsive landing system, life-support systems and a new cockpit design complete with advanced human interfaces. It will then go on to safety and mission-assurance analyses.

SpaceX expects to undertake the Dragon’s first manned flight by 2015. The company released the video below earlier today, to announce NASA's decision.

Sources:NASA,Sierra Nevada Corporation,The Boeing Company,SpaceX

SpaceX's Dragon to Return Americans to Space

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4 comments
4 comments
rbrtwjohnson
It is time for NASA to shift to new paradigms. I believe advanced nuclear fusion propulsion techniques will open vast horizons to the future of humanity. However, we'll have a really huge step toward space exploration when we definitely change the paradigm of chemical rockets to fusion-powered plasma turbines. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro5-QYqqxzM
PrometheusGoneWild.com
It is a shame that Dream Chaser is not working with Space X or Boeing. If Space X was to combine the Chaser vehicle with their already developed rocket technology they might have a really good combination. Either way I am glad that NASA is passing the torch in this arena to commercial companies. I think we will see rapid development (we already have with Space X) due to this....
Slowburn
hopefully this just means that NASA is not going to be giving companies money to develop launch and orbital vehicles not refusing to fly on the most cost effective launcher available if it is not one of their pre-approved models.
We really need to get NASA out of the space launch business. Even assuming that the government agency does not have a overgrown bureaucracy (Not a chance but please play along.) the way changing presidential administrations and congress keep changing the priorities and canceling programs (Obama canceling Ares in favor if SLS springs to mind.) really costs for no gain.
re; rbrtwjohnson
Wait until they demonstrate a working prototype of an energy + fusion reactor before buying a ticket. It will be big news. ........................................................................................................
re; PrometheusGoneWild.com
I am not a fan of the SpaceX Dragon throwing away half the orbital vehicle every flight has got to cost but there is no real reason for Sierra Nevada Corporation to put Dream Chaser on a Falcon9 especially if they have their own booster on tap.
Derek Howe
Good, glad to see they gave Blue Orgin the axe...they are not yet on the same level as these remaining 3.