63346673 NASA will spend $ 1.6 billion on space privateers
NASA will spend at least $ 1.6 billion in private space exploration in the near future. It is stated in a press release on the agency website. The funds will be spent in the period from July 2012 to April 2014. Recipients will be four private companies participating in the program for the commercialization of space technologies – Boeing, SpaceX, Sierra Nevada Corp. and Blue Origin. The purpose of work is to create an effective, inexpensive and commercially viable ways to deliver astronauts and cargo into orbit. The new proposal is called NASA CCDev2 (Commercial Crew Development). This document (a draft of which can be seen here) is regulated in detail the second phase of program development, which includes the establishment of a competitive launch vehicle, spacecraft, and also, possibly, the launch pad and the necessary infrastructure to run. In CCDev2 U.S. space agency is committed to contracting with the participants of the contest (which are called "partner NASA "), and provides member companies access to their resources and experts. Separately, NASA agrees to reward participants for their achievement of certain previously announced results, which are called the important stages of development. Boeing bonuses for the amount will be 25.6 million dollars, and for the Sierra Nevada – 20,6 million. The amounts of premiums for the other participants were not disclosed. At present, the (it will last until May 2012) the first phase of development by private companies of space technology. According to the head of NASA, Charles Bolden, who are in the press release, all participating companies have already shown considerable success and adhere to previously announced plans. At this stage development of the participants received from NASA about $ 270 million. Of this amount, 92.3 million went to Boeing, SpaceX – 75 million, Sierra Nevada Corp. – 80 million, and Blue Origin – 22 million. Of all the participants CCDev currently run their own machine in space could only company SpaceX. Also, the company's website states that before the end of 2011 comic ship of the ship Dragon delivered the first cargo to the International Space Station. NASA has not given permission to dock, but not banned, while the Federal Space Agency announced that for security reasons will not allow docking. On this September 16, 2011, "the Russian newspaper, " said the head of the Russian segment of ISS flight Vladimir Solovyov.
