The National Space Society congratulates Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Rocketplane Kistler on today’s announcement that they had been chosen as the winners of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.
“Make no mistake: COTS is crucial to the future of space exploration,” said George Whitesides, Executive Director of NSS. “NASA is to be congratulated on making a wise investment in the potential of America’s space entrepreneurs. Now, it is up to the winners to show that the COTS investment can pay off with affordable access to space.”
The COTS program is budgeted for roughly $500 million through 2010, with the goal of demonstrating commercial space access to the International Space Station.
NSS also recognizes the tremendous work of the COTS competitors who were not selected. These teams have put forward concepts of great potential, and it is the hope of the NSS membership that these competitors find ways to implement their orbital plans.
About the National Space Society
The National Space Society (NSS) is an independent, grassroots organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. Founded in 1974, NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen’s voice on space. NSS counts thousands of members and over 50 chapters in the United States and around the world. The society also produces the annual International Space Development Conference. For more information on the society or the conference, please visit:
