Rumors are that it will be awarded to Boeing's space division for their CST-100 capsule design (supports up to 7 passengers)


But, the contract could also be awarded to SpaceX for their Dragon capsule design (up to 7 crew members)



OR the contract could be awarded to Sierra Nevada for their Dream Chaser spaceplane design (also holds up to 7 crew members)


Today is a big day in space exploration! (News of the award will supposedly come at 3pm CST today).

Obama

Whether it was Obama's intention or not, or even those in his office, this is leading to a very conservative approach in my opinion. Bc of the cuts, NASA has begun to work and invest with private research to provide the needed capital to companies building these launch vehicles to reach their mission and objectives. In other words, NASA along side private sector to invest in the technology while the private sector then commercializes it. This could be a new leap forward for space exploration and our world in general as many inventions we live with today are a direct result from space exploration and funding.

Great. Just what we need. More government contractors. Next thing you know we'll be fighting wars in space

I hope I get it.

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Sierra Nevada

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Torpedo

I almost tripped over a Dream Chaser part just this morning! Hope I didn't jinx it!

It will probably be at least 2 of them.

Boeing and SpaceX it is

I think SpaceX is supergay

Why build one when you can have two at twice the price?

There's a 30 min document on netflix called "The Next Space Race" that details this competition. Definitely worth the watch.

One of the things the documentary points out is the similarity between the aircraft industry in the early 1900s and the space industry now.

In the early days of manned flight, the government provided lots of grants for research. As the aircraft industry began to take off, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA, NASA's predecessor) slowly let commercial companies take the lead.

NASA is doing the same thing with space flight: using grants and funds to hand off the torch to the commercial industry.

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OR the contract could be awarded to Sierra Nevada for their Dream Chaser spaceplane

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f***ing 'a baby. brewing in space. brew it and they will come.

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Why build one when you can have two at twice the price?

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Damn you! I was about to do that!

Wanna take a ride?

NASA has decided to partner with BOTH Boeing AND SpaceX !!! I believe the total number I heard in the press conference is $6.2 billion.

Whoop!

EDIT: $6.8 billion

Now maybe I can find a job

SPACE PLANE:
- can travel to and from space
- needs a big yellow stick and pushback crew to go in reverse

MalcolmX >>>>>>>>>> SpaceX

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Obama

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I'm no Obama fan but please explain.

Boeing to be awarded $4.2 billion

SpaceX to be awarded $2.6 billion

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Next thing you know we'll be fighting wars in space

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Or on top of a very tall mountain.

Another list I didn't make

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There's a 30 min document on netflix called "The Next Space Race" that details this competition. Definitely worth the watch.

One of the things the documentary points out is the similarity between the aircraft industry in the early 1900s and the space industry now.

In the early days of manned flight, the government provided lots of grants for research. As the aircraft industry began to take off, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA, NASA's predecessor) slowly let commercial companies take the lead.

NASA is doing the same thing with space flight: using grants and funds to hand off the torch to the commercial industry.

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Impossible. Government stayed out of peoples lives and left private businesses alone until 2008.

I guess we now know which ones gave the most money to Senator Bedfellow's re-election campaign.

Pigs in SPAAAAAAACE

I was rooting for BigBoy space exploration.

Which consortium has the inside track to be awarded the Orbital Sander bid?

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Which consortium has the inside track to be awarded the Orbital Sander bid?

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Ryobi
Close second was Porter-Cable