NASA Selects Six Companies for Orbital Transfer Vehicle Studies

What's Happening?

NASA has awarded contracts to six companies to conduct studies on orbital transfer vehicles, focusing on lower-cost ways to deliver spacecraft to difficult-to-reach orbits. The studies aim to explore future applications of orbital transfer vehicles for NASA missions, enhancing science capabilities and reducing mission costs. The companies involved include Arrow Science and Technology, Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Impulse Space, Rocket Lab, and United Launch Services.

Why It's Important?

The studies are part of NASA's strategy to leverage commercial space delivery capabilities, increasing access to space and reducing costs for science and technology missions. By exploring innovative solutions for multi-spacecraft and multi-orbit delivery, NASA can enhance its mission capabilities and support future exploration goals. The initiative fosters growth in the U.S. commercial launch market, enabling greater access to space for various stakeholders.

What's Next?

The studies will be completed by mid-September, with findings informing NASA's mission design and commercial launch acquisition strategies. The potential expansion of delivery services to larger payloads and less risk-tolerant missions may be considered in the future. NASA's Launch Services Program will continue collaborating with industry partners to advance space delivery capabilities.