$6 Billion For Private Development Of Commercial Manned Spacecraft

The Commercial Spaceflight Federation said Thursday it applauds NASA's anticipated announcement of a $6 billion competitive, commercial crew program, and welcomes the President's show of support for NASA with his significant planned increase for NASA's overall budget.

"NASA investment in the commercial spaceflight industry is a win-win decision: commercial crew will create thousands of high-tech jobs in the United States, especially in Florida, while reducing the spaceflight gap and preventing us from sending billions to Russia," said Bretton Alexander, President of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation.  "This is on par with the early days of aviation and the U.S. Airmail Act, which spurred the growth of an entire new industry that now adds billions to the US economy every year."

Alexander said the move will be a shot in the arm for the economy. "At a time when job creation is the top priority for our nation, a commercial crew program will create more jobs per dollar because it leverages millions in private investment and taps the potential of systems that serve both government and private customers," he said. "We have a tremendous opportunity here to jump-start private activity in low-Earth orbit that will further lower the cost of access to space and unleash the economic potential of space long promised."

Alexander said that working with NASA, private industry can develop the capabilities to safely launch U.S. astronauts just as commercial spaceflight providers are already trusted by the U.S. government to launch multi-billion dollar military satellites, which are vital to national security and on which the lives of our troops overseas depend.  "Investing $6 billion will fund a full program of multiple winners for commercial crew, so that robust competition in the marketplace can reduce costs and generate innovation," he said.  "We are excited to see such a significant commitment from the Obama Administration and NASA leadership for pursuing this important initiative for NASA and the nation."

FMI: www.commercialspaceflight.org