Orbital unveils spaceplane proposal
Posted: Wed, Dec 15, 2010, 7:38 AM ET (1238 GMT)
Orbital Sciences Corporation announced Tuesday that it has submitted a proposal to NASA for the development of a spaceplane that could ferry crews to and from the ISS. Orbital submitted the proposal as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Development, or CCDev, program to fund technology development for future crew transportation systems. The Orbital proposal would features a "blended lifting body" vehicle launched atop an Atlas 5 or other launch vehicle. The vehicle could accommodate four people for missions to the ISS. Orbital has partnered with several companies on the proposal, including launch vehicle developer United Launch Alliance; other reports indicate that suborbital space tourism company Virgin Galactic would also participate, ferrying the spaceplane with its WhiteKnightTwo aircraft. Orbital is already developing a separate spacecraft and launch vehicle system to transport cargo to the station under NASA's COTS program.
Orbital Sciences Corporation announced Tuesday that it has submitted a proposal to NASA for the development of a spaceplane that could ferry crews to and from the ISS. Orbital submitted the proposal as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Development, or CCDev, program to fund technology development for future crew transportation systems. The Orbital proposal would features a "blended lifting body" vehicle launched atop an Atlas 5 or other launch vehicle. The vehicle could accommodate four people for missions to the ISS. Orbital has partnered with several companies on the proposal, including launch vehicle developer United Launch Alliance; other reports indicate that suborbital space tourism company Virgin Galactic would also participate, ferrying the spaceplane with its WhiteKnightTwo aircraft. Orbital is already developing a separate spacecraft and launch vehicle system to transport cargo to the station under NASA's COTS program.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 12
ISRO’s ‘privatisation’ move: What India’s space policy says
Indian Express — 2:50 am ET (0650 GMT) After €387 million raise, The Exploration Company wins ESA’s “ALADDIN” cargo capsule contract worth €760 million
EU-Startups — 2:48 am ET (0648 GMT) French ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet: Europe must 'maximise scientific return' from ISS before closure
EuroNews — 2:47 am ET (0647 GMT) Finland Urges Musk To Allow Starlink Use Against Russia
Aviation Week — 2:45 am ET (0645 GMT) Florida makes case to host new US Space Academy
WESH-TV Orlando — 2:43 am ET (0643 GMT) |
