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Nasa backs Boeing's astronaut crew ship design Nasa picks astronaut crew ship designs
(about 2 hours later)
Boeing is the big winner in the competition to develop a new system to take American astronauts into orbit.Boeing is the big winner in the competition to develop a new system to take American astronauts into orbit.
It has beaten two other companies to the lion's share of US space agency (Nasa) funds, to help complete work on a seven-crew capsule known as CST-100.It has beaten two other companies to the lion's share of US space agency (Nasa) funds, to help complete work on a seven-crew capsule known as CST-100.
The vehicle, designed in Texas, should be flying people to the International Space Station (ISS) by late 2017.The vehicle, designed in Texas, should be flying people to the International Space Station (ISS) by late 2017.
Since the space shuttles were retired in 2011, Americans have relied on Russia for manned space transportation.Since the space shuttles were retired in 2011, Americans have relied on Russia for manned space transportation.
Its venerable Soyuz vehicles have been the only means of getting crew to and from the ISS.Its venerable Soyuz vehicles have been the only means of getting crew to and from the ISS.
But disagreements over Russia's actions in Ukraine have made this arrangement increasingly unpalatable for Washington.But disagreements over Russia's actions in Ukraine have made this arrangement increasingly unpalatable for Washington.
Likewise, the price per flight now being charged by Moscow - at $70m (£43m) a seat - is seen as excessive.Likewise, the price per flight now being charged by Moscow - at $70m (£43m) a seat - is seen as excessive.
The Obama administration charged Nasa in 2010 with the job of "seeding" indigenous, competing companies to restore American capability.The Obama administration charged Nasa in 2010 with the job of "seeding" indigenous, competing companies to restore American capability.
Since then, the agency has released nearly $1.5bn in funding, with most of this money going to Boeing, California's SpaceX and a third firm - the Colorado-based Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC).Since then, the agency has released nearly $1.5bn in funding, with most of this money going to Boeing, California's SpaceX and a third firm - the Colorado-based Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC).
Ideally, the agency would have liked to continue funding all three into the final phase of its commercial crew programme, but its budget is too stretched.Ideally, the agency would have liked to continue funding all three into the final phase of its commercial crew programme, but its budget is too stretched.
It has meant Nasa having to pick a favourite - in Boeing. It has meant Nasa having to pick favourites, certainly in financial terms - and the big one is Boeing.
Both Boeing and SpaceX will now receive fixed-price, Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCtCap) contracts. The corporation is going to receive a fixed-price Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCtCap) contract worth up to $4.2bn.
The total potential contract value is $4.2bn for Boeing and $2.6bn for SpaceX. SpaceX will get a lesser amount - $2.6bn.
For Boeing, this should take its CST-100 vehicle through final development and safety certification. For Boeing, these funds should take its CST-100 vehicle through final development and safety certification.
It also includes fees for initial crewed flights. Part of the contract also includes fees for initial crewed flights, up to a maximum of six.
The CST-100 is designed to launch into orbit atop an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and return to Earth with the assistance of a heat shield and parachutes to a land location.The CST-100 is designed to launch into orbit atop an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and return to Earth with the assistance of a heat shield and parachutes to a land location.
Superficially, there are similarities with the Apollo system, but the new Boeing ship's technologies are, of course, all state-of-the-art.Superficially, there are similarities with the Apollo system, but the new Boeing ship's technologies are, of course, all state-of-the-art.
Many people thought SpaceX might grab a larger tranche of the funding on offer.Many people thought SpaceX might grab a larger tranche of the funding on offer.
It already operates a rocket and capsule system in an unmanned configuration to take cargo to the ISS, and was working to upgrade the design to accommodate the more stringent assurance levels demanded of human spaceflight.It already operates a rocket and capsule system in an unmanned configuration to take cargo to the ISS, and was working to upgrade the design to accommodate the more stringent assurance levels demanded of human spaceflight.
But SpaceX is unlikely to be deterred by getting second billing. It is committed to completing development of its Dragon capsule.But SpaceX is unlikely to be deterred by getting second billing. It is committed to completing development of its Dragon capsule.
And it believes that its manned system will eventually turn out to be much cheaper than the one coming from the more well-established Boeing Corporation.And it believes that its manned system will eventually turn out to be much cheaper than the one coming from the more well-established Boeing Corporation.
This could put the California company in a very strong position to win commercial launch contracts further down the road.This could put the California company in a very strong position to win commercial launch contracts further down the road.
And even SNC has promised to fight on. It has already booked a demonstration flight on an Atlas rocket for its crew vehicle, which stands out for not being a conical capsule. The $2.6bn CCtCap contact it is due to receive also covers a certification process and initial crewed missions - again, up to six.
Both companies must meet specified technical milestones to pick up what will be staged payments.
In news conferences held by Nasa to announce the awards, reporters repeatedly pressed agency officials to explain why the sum offered to Boeing was so much larger than the one to SpaceX.
Those officials declined, stating the procurement process was continuing and that it would be inappropriate at this stage to discuss such matters.
But Kathy Leuders, the manager for the commercial crew programme, remarked: "The companies proposed the value within which they were able to do the work and the government accepted that."
The big loser in this final round of Nasa's commercial crew programme is the Sierra Nevada Corporation. It will get no CCtCap support.
But SNC has repeatedly said that its vision is not reliant solely on Nasa patronage.
It has already booked a rocket to launch an unmanned demonstration flight of its proposed crew vehicle, which stands out for not being a conical capsule.
Known as the Dream Chaser, this ship looks like a mini space shuttle. And just like the famous winged orbiters, it would glide back to Earth to land on a runway.Known as the Dream Chaser, this ship looks like a mini space shuttle. And just like the famous winged orbiters, it would glide back to Earth to land on a runway.
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmosJonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos