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NASA Selects Contractors For Crew Exploration Vehicle Work
NASA today announced the selection of Lockheed Martin Corp. and the team of Northrop Grumman Corp. and The Boeing Co. that will lead to an award to build the agency's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). The selection is part of NASA's plan to have two contractors compete in the design and production process for the Space Shuttle's replacement. NASA's Vision for Space Exploration calls for the CEV to carry up to six astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit soon after the Space Shuttle is retired in 2010, and then on to the moon as early as 2015. The CEV acquisition strategy is a multi-phased project. Phase 1 called for industry to mature their crewed vehicle designs and demonstrate their ability to manage the cost, schedule, and risk of human-rated spacecraft development. Phase 2, covering final CEV design and production, was scheduled to start with a down-selection to a single industry team in 2008. To reduce or eliminate the gap between the Shuttle's retirement in 2010 and an operational CEV, the Phase 2 down-selection is planned for 2006. Results of NASA Administrator Michael Griffin's Exploration Systems Architectural Study will be incorporated into a Call For Improvements later this year to invite Phase 2 proposals from the Phase 1 contractors. Related Links SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express 
Son of Shuttle
Cape Canaveral (UPI) May 10, 2005No sooner did NASA's deadline pass for companies to submit proposals for a new passenger space transit system than the agency changed the ground rules - a move that not only will challenge project bidders to accelerate development plans, but also opens the door for a partnership of eclectic space entrepreneurs to demonstrate if it has the moxie to fly people in space. |
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