NASA Partners With Orbital Sciences for Space Transport Services

Feb. 19, 2008

Beth Dickey/Stephanie Schierholz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-2087/4997
beth.dickey-1@xxxxxxxx , stephanie.schierholz@xxxxxxxx

Lynnette Madison/Bill J. Byerly
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
lynnette.b.madison@xxxxxxxx , bill.j.byerly@xxxxxxxx

RELEASE: 08-058

NASA PARTNERS WITH ORBITAL SCIENCES FOR SPACE TRANSPORT SERVICES

WASHINGTON - NASA selected Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles,
Va., to develop and demonstrate commercial orbital transportation
services that could open new markets and pave the way for contracts
to launch and deliver crew and cargo to the International Space
Station.

NASA and Orbital Sciences signed a funded Space Act Agreement under
the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Project, known as
COTS. The new partner will receive approximately $170 million in
federal funds to supplement its privately-funded efforts.

Through COTS, NASA is facilitating U.S. private industry development
of reliable, cost- effective access to low Earth orbit. The intent is
to create a market environment in which commercial space
transportation services are available to government and private
sector customers.

"NASA plans to get out of low Earth orbit and focus on going back to
the moon to prepare explorers for a future voyage to Mars," said Rick
Gilbrech, associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems
Mission Directorate, Washington. "Being able to buy safe, reliable
and economical service to low Earth orbit will help us achieve our
national goals."

The selection of Orbital Sciences brings to seven the number of
partners in which NASA is investing through COTS. NASA selected
SpaceX of El Segundo, Calif., as a partner in August 2006. NASA is
partnering with an additional five companies through unfunded
agreements.

NASA is providing approximately $500 million to stimulate the
commercial space transportation market and help develop safe,
reliable and cost-effective access to and from low Earth orbit.

"Our investment in the space transportation industry holds just as
much promise for the future as government's investment in the
railroads and airlines produced in the past," said Alan Lindenmoyer,
manager of the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office at NASA's
Johnson Space Center, Houston. "Like any wise investor would, we
chose a transportation provider whose innovative concept is based on
solid engineering and a sound business plan."

The Space Act Agreement establishes milestones and objective criteria
to assess the company's progress throughout Phase 1 of the COTS
Project. Partners with funded agreements receive payment for
achieving agreed-upon milestones.

In Phase 1, companies will demonstrate one or more of four
capabilities: external, unpressurized cargo delivery and disposal;
internal, pressurized cargo delivery and disposal; internal,
pressurized cargo delivery and return; and an option for crew
transportation. NASA plans to purchase cargo resupply services
competitively in Phase 2.

For more information about the COTS Project, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/esmd/ccc

For information about NASA's plans to explore the moon and beyond,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration


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