CCDev to CCiCAP to CCtCAP Discussion Thread

[Chris Bergin]

Chris. Can you deny the WSJ article? I'd be shocked if CST-100 has won.

I can't deny anything, as I simply don't know (as much as I've had 1001 e-mails hinting at me over the last hour or so).

I've said I'm waiting for the official announcement and we'll go from there. I could probably find out, but I'm not throwing a source* to the wolves - and that is what will happen with a big leak on a contract award.

*I don't really have "sources". I have friends in the industry. I don't have a "e-mail me tips anonymously" facility. We get more than our fair share of exclusives by doing what we do.

Not this one, obviously!

If true, I'm very upset for Dream Chaser. And I dare say surprised.

[ugordan]

If true, I'm very upset for Dream Chaser. And I dare say surprised.

Ditto. Well, more upset than surprised.

[mr. mark]

Jay Barbree of NBC News says SpaceX and Boeing have won:
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/boeing-spacex-are-due-win-nasas-nod-space-taxis-n204426
https://twitter.com/b0yle/status/511896353463488512

Sources say Boeing will be receiving the larger share of that money.

I am not sure how to construe that. Boeing probably got more money because their system is more expensive?

If the story pans out yes, I'd expect Boeing to get more as it's more expensive to develop. Sounds like both teams will be sending capsules to ISS.

Edit/CR: fixed quote

[Lars-J]

I'm still skeptical about this late Boeing publicity. Even going so far as tying in Blue Origin a day before the announcement. (the most bizarre aspect of this!) Everyone - including Alan Boyle - seems to source the WSJ Pasztor, either directly or indirectly.

This might just be a way to generate expectation, and when it doesn't pan out, they can use that momentum to mount a challenge.

But I could be (very) wrong.

[yg1968]

Jay Barbree of NBC News says SpaceX and Boeing have won:
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/boeing-spacex-are-due-win-nasas-nod-space-taxis-n204426
https://twitter.com/b0yle/status/511896353463488512

Sources say Boeing will be receiving the larger share of that money.

I am not sure how to construe that. Boeing probably got more money because their system is more expensive?

If the story pans out yes, I'd expect Boeing to get more as it's more expensive to develop. Sounds like both teams will be sending capsules to ISS.

Yes I think that you are right. The NBC article says that both companies would get to the ISS in 2017.

Sources familiar with the months-long selection process told NBC News that Boeing's CST-100 capsule and SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft are expected to start sending crews to the station in 2017.

[abaddon]

DreamChaser getting left out would not be at all surprising (that's what I voted in the now-locked poll thread), although it would be disappointing to me too.  They only got a 1/2 award in CCiCAP for a reason.  Although they have made great progress since, so have SpaceX and Boeing.

All of the kerfuffle now that we are so close to the end is also not surprising, there's a lot at stake here and everyone will be working all of the angles they can.  I can't say I saw the Blue Origin angle coming either though...

Anyway, not much time left so I will just wait and see.  I just hope we get good data (with as full transparency as possible) on why the choices were made, I thought NASA did a very good job of that with CCiCAP.  I am afraid anything less is going to lead to lots of finger-pointing by the losing party/parties.

As Grue would say, "I have pins and needles that I'm sitting on!"

[yg1968]

Another Boeing CST-100 confirmation?

Seen on the street: Boeing's top CCP brass are here in KSC vicinity.

https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/511904086481182720

[Razvan]

Sources say Boeing will be receiving the larger share of that money.

I am not sure how to construe that. Boeing probably got more money because their system is more expensive?
[/quote]

The similar thing that happened for COTS ending in two contracts, one for SpaceX for 12 flights at abt. $1.2b and one for Orbital Sc. for 8 flights at abt. $1.8b.

[sghill]

Forbes is now running with this story based on the WSJ piece.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2014/09/16/reports-boeing-to-beat-out-spacex-for-nasa-contract-thanks-to-jeff-bezos/

From the Forbes article:

"We haven’t made that decision yet. We would have to take a step back, review the potential business case and go from there,” the [Boeing] spokesperson told me. “It would be more difficult to close the business case without the NASA foundation business.”

If that's a correct quote, then perhaps Boeing is backpedaling on their threats... er, previous statements... that if they didn't win they would not continue forward, and lay off many folk associated with the project.

That's a pretty old quote from Boeing.  The Forbes author either requoted something told to him a while back, or Boeing is staying very on message.

[yg1968]

https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/511904420469420032

Heard on the street: chairs being set up in OPF-3...but NASA announcement planned on OSB-2 balcony...unless it rains, then press site.

[cdleonard]

I'm still skeptical about this late Boeing publicity. Even going so far as tying in Blue Origin a day before the announcement. (the most bizarre aspect of this!)

Does anything tie Blue Origin to CCtCap other than WSJ speculation?

Blue Origin might end up working with ULA on engine development for a new rocket variant. This does not actually imply any involvement in CCtCAP itself, which is mostly about developing a spacecraft to fly on existing rockets.

The Blue Origin/ULA partnership is more likely an attempt to better compete with SpaceX in the wider launch market.

[yg1968]

I'm still skeptical about this late Boeing publicity. Even going so far as tying in Blue Origin a day before the announcement. (the most bizarre aspect of this!)

Does anything tie Blue Origin to CCtCap other than WSJ speculation?

Blue Origin might end up working with ULA on engine development for a new rocket variant. This does not actually imply any involvement in CCtCAP itself, which is mostly about developing a spacecraft to fly on existing rockets.

The Blue Origin/ULA partnership is more likely an attempt to better compete with SpaceX in the wider launch market.

There is also this:

https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/511904846182875136

There's some speculation about who's behind this billboard on U.S. 1...

[Lars-J]

Yes, I suspect there might be an upcoming BO-ULA announcement, and that this somehow got confused with CCtCap.

[woods170]

Pasztor didn't say anything about SpaceX winning.

WSJ - "One of the two other bidders—SpaceX or Sierra Nevada Corp.—is expected to obtain a smaller contract as a second source, these experts said. SpaceX is in a very strong position to get the nod, the experts added."

Jay Barbree - "Sources say Boeing will be receiving the larger share of that money."

Which to me means:
- Boeing full award
- SpaceX half award

Can only hope Barbree is dead wrong on this one.

[robertross]

Another Boeing CST-100 confirmation?

Seen on the street: Boeing's top CCP brass are here in KSC vicinity.

https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/511904086481182720

Well at the outside it's more convincing, but there's nothing like an Atlas V rocket launch in the vicinity to get the speculation going...

[SoundForesight]

I'm trying to decide if this NASA RFI is relevant as a consolation to CCtCap non-awardee, since it refers to "reusable launch systems":
NASA RFI: Potential Partnerships for Industry-led Suborbital Reusable Launch Systems
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=46140

[docmordrid]

https://twitter.com/astro_g_dogg/status/511903296756277248

Garrett Reisman @astro_g_dog

Big news today from @Commercial_Crew !

[CraigLieb]

anybody know where Elon is today?

[king1999]

Garrett Reisman @astro_g_dog

Big news today from @Commercial_Crew !

Looks like Garrett can't contain his excitement

[Jose Martinez]

I'm trying to decide if this NASA RFI is relevant

No.