ISS Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS2) 2017-2030

[Lars-J]

Charles A. Lurio
‏@TheLurioReport
Some in DC saying very likely that the winners of the second set of ISS cargo supply contracts to be announced Thursday (CRS-2).

I hope that's correct been eager to hear if DC gets a piece of the pie.

I'm pretty sure he meant DC as in District of Columbia (our capital), not Dream Chaser. 

But I'm sure some politicians in DC are hoping for a piece of the pie nonetheless. 

[Patchouli]

Actually, the DC proposal is for up to 500 kg of unpressurized cargo. IDA masses 526 kg. So, technically no, it couldn't accommodate IDA because it is 5.2% over weight. How hard it would be to uprate the vehicle is anyone's guess. BEAM is too heavy and bulky, but there are other ways to test inflatable modules in space. If it wasn't logistically possible to do BEAM at ISS, it wouldn't be a huge deal. BEAM was sized to fit the logistics capacity of cargo suppliers. If it was sized for SLS, would we be saying that SLS is required capability? We don't know much about orbital's CRS 2 proposal, but mounting external cargo should be even easier than DC.

It's only 26Kg over they probably could repackage some parts on IDA and put them inside the pressurized section to be installed later and get under that.

[yg1968]

I noticed that Gerst is the selecting officer for CRS2.

[yg1968]

Charles A. Lurio
‏@TheLurioReport
Some in DC saying very likely that the winners of the second set of ISS cargo supply contracts to be announced Thursday (CRS-2).

The fact that we haven't heard anything about a NASA CRS2 presser makes me doubt that the CRS2 winners will be announced tomorrow.

In any event, I am predicting that all three companies will be selected. If there is only two companies, I am not sure that DC has much of a chance of edging either OrbitalATK or SpaceX.

[ChrisWilson68]

Charles A. Lurio
‏@TheLurioReport
Some in DC saying very likely that the winners of the second set of ISS cargo supply contracts to be announced Thursday (CRS-2).

The fact that we haven't heard anything about a NASA CRS2 presser makes me doubt that the CRS2 winners will be announced tomorrow.

In any event, I am predicting that all three companies will be selected. If there is only two companies, I am not sure that DC has much of a chance of edging either OrbitalATK or SpaceX.

Isn't it four companies?  We had confirmation from Boeing that they were eliminated earlier, but it was only a rumor that Lockheed Martin's Jupiter was rejected.  I don't think that was ever confirmed.

[yg1968]

LM never denied the rumor either. They just gave a meaningless vague statement through Twitter.

[Star One]

Charles A. Lurio
‏@TheLurioReport
Some in DC saying very likely that the winners of the second set of ISS cargo supply contracts to be announced Thursday (CRS-2).

The fact that we haven't heard anything about a NASA CRS2 presser makes me doubt that the CRS2 winners will be announced tomorrow.

In any event, I am predicting that all three companies will be selected. If there is only two companies, I am not sure that DC has much of a chance of edging either OrbitalATK or SpaceX.

Isn't it four companies?  We had confirmation from Boeing that they were eliminated earlier, but it was only a rumor that Lockheed Martin's Jupiter was rejected.  I don't think that was ever confirmed.

More likely next week by the sound of it.

[rayleighscatter]

Charles A. Lurio
‏@TheLurioReport
Some in DC saying very likely that the winners of the second set of ISS cargo supply contracts to be announced Thursday (CRS-2).

The fact that we haven't heard anything about a NASA CRS2 presser makes me doubt that the CRS2 winners will be announced tomorrow.

In any event, I am predicting that all three companies will be selected. If there is only two companies, I am not sure that DC has much of a chance of edging either OrbitalATK or SpaceX.

We won't necessarily hear an announcement about the announcement this time. It's no longer a novel groundbreaking program, it's just a follow on of a previous program now. It may just be a simple announcement this time around.

[arachnitect]

Charles A. Lurio
‏@TheLurioReport
Some in DC saying very likely that the winners of the second set of ISS cargo supply contracts to be announced Thursday (CRS-2).

The fact that we haven't heard anything about a NASA CRS2 presser makes me doubt that the CRS2 winners will be announced tomorrow.

In any event, I am predicting that all three companies will be selected. If there is only two companies, I am not sure that DC has much of a chance of edging either OrbitalATK or SpaceX.

We won't necessarily hear an announcement about the announcement this time. It's no longer a novel groundbreaking program, it's just a follow on of a previous program now. It may just be a simple announcement this time around.

NASA didn't announce the CRS-1 extensions at all. Press had to call NASA and ask for confirmation after OrbitalATK mentioned new orders in an earnings call.

I wouldn't be surprised by an announcement late Friday. Great time to bury news (3 day weekend).

[Star One]

Charles A. Lurio
‏@TheLurioReport
Some in DC saying very likely that the winners of the second set of ISS cargo supply contracts to be announced Thursday (CRS-2).

The fact that we haven't heard anything about a NASA CRS2 presser makes me doubt that the CRS2 winners will be announced tomorrow.

In any event, I am predicting that all three companies will be selected. If there is only two companies, I am not sure that DC has much of a chance of edging either OrbitalATK or SpaceX.

We won't necessarily hear an announcement about the announcement this time. It's no longer a novel groundbreaking program, it's just a follow on of a previous program now. It may just be a simple announcement this time around.

NASA didn't announce the CRS-1 extensions at all. Press had to call NASA and ask for confirmation after OrbitalATK mentioned new orders in an earnings call.

I wouldn't be surprised by an announcement late Friday. Great time to bury news (3 day weekend).

Why would they want to bury the news?

[arachnitect]

[...]
Why would they want to bury the news?

One provider is likely to get shutout. Either OrbitalATK (powerful congressional supporters) or DC (lots of fans inside NASA). People will be upset.

I think the bigger issue is that the price tag is going to be staggering (and even worse if there are 3 providers). SLS/Orion is slipping. All the science divisions are trying to keep their portfolios balanced. Federal spending is under a microscope in general. People are going to see a >$7B price tag for "logistics" and start ask questions about priorities.

[yg1968]

Here is what Charles Lurio answered me on Twitter in respect of the CRS2 announcement:

At least one bidder to be told re CRS-2 Thursday. NASA often notifies press same day as later announcement.

https://twitter.com/TheLurioReport/status/687399780520189952

[Jester]

http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/crs2/schedule.asp

Contract Award     NLT 1/30/2016

[AnalogMan]

http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/crs2/schedule.asp

Contract Award     NLT 1/30/2016

That's old information (see http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=34093.msg1442619#msg1442619)

[Jester]

http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/crs2/schedule.asp

Contract Award     NLT 1/30/2016

That's old information (see http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=34093.msg1442619#msg1442619)

I know, but with all the rumors flying, thats the only thing written down so far...

[Prober]

NASA expected to soon announce contracts to resupply the International Space Station

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/01/14/nasa-expected-to-soon-announce-contracts-to-resupply-the-international-space-station/

Not much real info, but note its out in the media, and they are watching.

[yg1968]

Here is what Charles Lurio answered me on Twitter in respect of the CRS2 announcement:

At least one bidder to be told re CRS-2 Thursday. NASA often notifies press same day as later announcement.

https://twitter.com/TheLurioReport/status/687399780520189952

It's possible that the companies will know today but that the announcement will only be tomorrow. That's happenned in the past.

[rcoppola]

I don't understand the point of only alerting one out of the 3 potential bidders?

[Baranquilla]

Here we go, game is on for today!

Big announcement 4pm today at @NASA_Johnson on future commercial cargo launches to @space_station - watch live at http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

https://twitter.com/SethStatler/status/687640179536990212

[Comga]

[NASA HQ News] NASA to Make Major Space Station Cargo Transport Announcement Today

NASA will make a major announcement today at 4 p.m. EST regarding the future of commercial resupply launches to the International Space Station (ISS). The announcement will be made during a news conference from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, broadcast live on NASA Television and the agency’s website at:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

The event will include a brief question-and-answer session with media.

The news conference participants are:

Ellen Ochoa, Johnson Space Center director
Sam Scimemi, ISS Division director at NASA Headquarters in Washington
Kirk Shireman, ISS program manager at Johnson
Julie Robinson, ISS chief scientist at Johnson