Congress and NASA reach deal on space taxis 
posted by Mark Matthews on June, 5 2012

WASHINGTON — Top officials at NASA and in Congress have reached an accord on how the agency should proceed in developing “space taxis” to service the International Space Station.

At issue has been the number of companies NASA would pay in order to develop rockets and capsules that could ferry NASA astronauts to the floating observatory by the end of the decade.

NASA has pushed to pay four companies for the service, but the U.S. House balked at that idea earlier this year, saying that was too many, and passed legislation that would cap the number at two — with most of the money likely going to one provider. Last year, NASA doled out $269 million among four companies, including SpaceX.

In response to the House, NASA and the White House have pressed to keep their options open on the grounds that reducing the field would stifle competition.

Now it appears as if the two sides have come to a deal.

U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, the Virginia Republican who heads the House appropriation subcommittee with NASA oversight, said today that the program would fully fund two companies — and could partially fund a third.

That’s down from as many as four companies, according to Wolf.

“This downselect will reduce taxpayer exposure by concentrating funds on those participants who are most likely to be chosen to eventually provide service to ISS,” he said in a statement.

The deal also would lay the groundwork for NASA to impose stiffer regulations on the companies competing to develop the rockets and capsules — a priority for Wolf — while giving NASA more leeway to nix contracts if it thinks aspiring companies are overselling their capability and financial health.

The accord comes at an interesting time for NASA and the commercial space business.

The agency plans to dole out the next round of awards for space taxis this summer; an effort that got a boost last week when SpaceX of California — working with NASA funds — made history when it became the first commercial company to berth a spacecraft to the station and return it safely.

 Congress and NASA reach deal on space taxis – Central Florida Political Pulse – Orlando Sentinel.

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