NASA has announced its partnership with seven U.S. companies to address future commercial and government spaceflight needs. This collaboration, known as the Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities-2 (CCSC-2), aims to benefit human spaceflight and boost the U.S. commercial low Earth orbit economy.
Through unfunded Space Act Agreements, NASA will provide technical expertise, assessments, lessons learned, technologies, and data to advance commercial space-related efforts. By sharing its knowledge, NASA can foster the development of crucial capabilities for a robust low Earth orbit economy without significant government resources.
The selected companies for CCSC-2 are Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Sierra Space Corporation, SpaceX, Special Aerospace Services, ThinkOrbital Inc., and Vast Space LLC. These companies have demonstrated their commitment by investing their own capital into innovative commercial space capabilities.
Phil McAlister, the director of commercial spaceflight at NASA Headquarters, emphasized the benefits of such partnerships. The companies can leverage NASA’s extensive knowledge and experience, while NASA can potentially become a customer for the capabilities developed under these agreements. This collaboration will stimulate competition and encourage more providers for innovative space capabilities and services.
Each proposal was carefully evaluated based on its relevance to NASA’s goals, the company’s ability to provide the necessary resources, and the feasibility of its business and technical approach. The cost of participation is borne by each party through the agreements.
The projects undertaken by the selected companies cover a wide range of objectives. Blue Origin aims to develop integrated commercial space transportation capabilities to ensure safe, affordable, and high-frequency access to orbit for crew and other missions.
Northrop Grumman is working on the Persistent Platform, which provides autonomous and robotic capabilities for commercial science research and manufacturing in low Earth orbit.
Sierra Space is focused on developing a commercial low Earth orbit ecosystem, including next-generation space transportation, in-space infrastructure, and expandable and tailorable space facilities.
SpaceX’s collaboration with NASA involves an integrated low Earth orbit architecture. This includes the utilization of Starship as a transportation and in-space destination element, supported by Super Heavy, Dragon, and Starlink. The architecture encompasses crew and cargo transportation, communications, and operational and ground support.
Special Aerospace Services is collaborating on in-space servicing technology, propulsion, and robotic technology. They are developing the Autonomous Maneuvering Unit (AMU) and the Astronaut Assist-AMU for commercial in-space servicing and mobility applications.
ThinkOrbital is working on the development of ThinkPlatforms and CONTESA (Construction Technologies for Space Applications). ThinkPlatforms are self-assembling orbital platforms that facilitate various applications in low Earth orbit. CONTESA aids in large-scale in-space fabrication.
Vast is collaborating on microgravity and artificial gravity stations, including the Haven-1 commercial destination for crew, research, and in-space manufacturing. They also have plans for larger space station modules.
NASA’s support for a robust low Earth orbit economy aims to promote education, job growth in science and engineering, and economic expansion through the creation of new space markets. The agency’s strategy aligns with its goal of transitioning to a low Earth orbit marketplace where NASA becomes one of many customers, allowing the private sector to lead. This strategy enables NASA to continue scientific discovery, technology development, and human exploration into deep space while benefiting life on Earth.
