Congratulations to NASA, Boeing and SpaceX

By  //  September 16, 2014

American crew space transportation systems

ABOVE VIDEO: NASA announced that Boeing’s CST-100 and SpaceX’s Dragon will be the next American crew space transportation systems, with contracts of 4.2 billion and 2.6 billion, respectively. NASA is poised fo the final phase of development and certification to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station from the United States on American systems. To learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, visit NASA.gov/commercialcrew.

Boeing’s CST-100, SpaceX’s Dragon Will Be Next American Crew Space Transportation Systems

The EDC Congratulates NASA, Boeing and SpaceX for bringing U.S. human space flight capability one giant leap closer to Florida and the Space Coast.

With the NASA selection of Boeing and SpaceX for the Commercial Crew Transportation Contract (CCtCap), the vision for production and operations of private spacecraft for astronaut transport to the International Space Station and Low Earth Orbit is realized.

NASA announced that Boeing’s CST-100 and SpaceX’s Dragon will be the next American crew space transportation systems, with contracts of 4.2 billion and 2.6 billion, respectively.
NASA announced that Boeing’s CST-100 and SpaceX’s Dragon will be the next American crew space transportation systems, with contracts of 4.2 billion and 2.6 billion, respectively.

The expected investment by Boeing and SpaceX will not only have an immediate positive impact on local employment and subcontracting opportunities, but will also signal the Space Coast’s emergence as the leader in commercial human space flight.

At full funding levels, Boeing’s CST-100 production and operations will bring an additional 550 jobs to the Space Coast with an annual net wage impact in excess of $45 million. Boeing’s “Project Syros” was fully supported by the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners in 2011.

The SpaceX Dragon V2 will likely launch from the historic Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center which was leased by NASA/KSC to SpaceX in April of this year. SpaceX currently launches government and commercial missions from Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and has supplied cargo to the International Space Station since 2012 under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract.

SpaceX Unveils Human-Carrying Dragon V2Related Story:
SpaceX Unveils Human-Carrying Dragon V2

Ten years ago with the knowledge of the pending shuttle retirement, the EDC began pursuing the vision of diversification for the Space Coast aerospace industry with our partners by securing the Orion production. The NASA CCtCap vehicle down-select of Boeing and SpaceX combined with this year’s anticipated test launch of Orion represents the start of the countdown clock to our vibrant new space economy.

The EDC of Florida’s Space Coast will continue to support Boeing, SpaceX and NASA in the public-private partnership chapter of our human space flight legacy.

We look forward to the future of our space legacy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lynda Weatherman
Lynda Weatherman

Lynda Weatherman is president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC). In this role, she is responsible for the attraction of new business and investment and retention and growth of existing industry throughout the Space Coast on the east coast of Florida. Weatherman’s role also includes influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, assisting industry in new market entry, supporting efforts of local military installations, and developing and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high tech companies.