NASA announced that is has awarded contracts to four private space companies to help integrate and transport research payloads onboard commercial reusable suborbital vehicles to the edge of space.
Masten Space Systems, UP Aerospace, Paragon Space Development Corporation and Virgin Galactic are the lucky recipients selected by NASA.
“The selection is part of NASA's continuing effort to foster a viable market for American commercial reusable suborbital platforms that allow testing of new space technologies within Earth's atmosphere,” the space agency explains in a press release issued on Monday, September 8.
The three-year contracts awarded are worth at least $100,000 for each company, and have a two-year renewal option
“We've made tremendous progress in working toward the goal of regular, frequent and predictable access to near-space at a reasonable cost with easy recovery of intact payloads,” says Michael Gazarik, associate administrator for Space Technology at NASA. “These proven flight service providers will allow for payloads from organizations including NASA, industry, academia, and other government agencies to be tested on flights to the edge of space before being committed to demonstration in the harsh environment of space itself.”
Although most of these companies focus on propulsion systems and technology, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic is best known for its pioneering presence in the space tourism industry. But, in addition to taking tourists on suborbital flights, the company intends to court other clients by offering its ships for scientific research. Virgin Galactic is also developing a launcher vehicle that will be able to transport small satellites into orbit.
Private space companies are actively working to develop new technologies to make space travel easier and more affordable. NASA is working on that too. The space agency asserts that, during the coming year, its Space Technology Mission Directorate will make “significant new investments that address several high priority challenges for achieving safe and affordable deep space exploration.”
