NASA’s COTS Initiative – Developing the LEO Commercial Space Transportation Industry
- Paper number
IAC-06-E3.2.01
- Author
Mr. Dennis Stone, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Alan Lindenmoyer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has established a new paradigm for the stimulation of the commercial space sector. NASA has created the Commercial Crew/Cargo Project Office. In January 2006, this office sought proposals for Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Demonstrations. Under the COTS project, NASA intends to enter into agreements with private industry to develop and demonstrate the vehicles, systems, and operations needed to resupply, return cargo from, and transport crew to and from a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space facility, with the International Space Station (ISS) providing the representative requirements for such a facility. NASA has set aside a budget of USD 500,000,000 for COTS, with industry receiving fixed, milestone-driven payments. Once commercial capabilities are demonstrated, NASA plans to purchase commercial services to support the ISS and encourages commercial providers to serve other markets. NASA may apply this paradigm to fulfill other NASA needs in the future while developing a more robust and cost-effective commercial space industry for the betterment of humankind.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-E3.2.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.