LIVE: Commercial Crew (CCtCAP) award decision - KSC 4PM EDT - Sept. 16, 2014

[SWGlassPit]

How does that $2.4B compare to the cost of loss of LEO access from failure of a basket containing all of NASA's eggs?

[Chris Bergin]

Blimey. We're still getting hammered. Bad Gateway error for 10 seconds there. Servers kicked back in (thanks servers). But back to logged in only until I'm sure things have calmed down with the demand.

One day I think we won't have guests on at all, as we just get busier every year.

[Rocket Science]

Blimey. We're still getting hammered. Bad Gateway error for 10 seconds there. Servers kicked back in (thanks servers). But back to logged in only until I'm sure things have calmed down with the demand.

One day I think we won't have guests on at all, as we just get busier every year.

Gee, maybe Boeing will buy some ad space now...

[yg1968]

Press conference of today on NASA TV:

[yg1968]

Here is the audio teleconference with Commercial Crew Program Manager Kathy Lueders which followed the other one:
http://www.gamefront.com/files/24480705/CCtCap+NASA+News+Audio+-Sept+16+2014+.zip

P.S. I will post it to YouTube when I get a chance.

[Razvan]

It might be possible for SNC to continue its CCiCap partnership on an unfunded basis (similar to what Blue Origin has been doing under CCDev-2).

I think ESA and Germany are interested to help develop Dream Chaser space plane, hardware, software, etc.
Anyway, all three competitors did good, even if SNC was not officially selected by NASA.
Great achievement, a real "Triple Axel" jump for American Space Industry.

[Ludus]

How does that $2.4B compare to the cost of loss of LEO access from failure of a basket containing all of NASA's eggs?

Considering they are currently going for years with no manned LEO access other than Russians it's hard to think that the mere possibility of it happening in the future is an unacceptable threat worth billions to insure against.

[Jim]

I think ESA and Germany are interested to help develop Dream Chaser space plane, hardware, software, etc.

Not without NASA

[gregpet]

Boeing: "The spacecraft will undergo a pad-abort test in 2016, an uncrewed flight in early 2017, leading up to the first crewed flight to the ISS in mid-2017."

So a 2017 launch date makes sense for Boeing but what is SpaceX going to be doing for the next 3 years (both of their launch abort tests will take place within the year)?  It seems like SpaceX is way out in front of Boeing so I'm wondering why the 2017 date is being used for both providers.

Maybe NASA is protecting Boeing from looking bad?

[Razvan]

I think ESA and Germany are interested to help develop Dream Chaser space plane, hardware, software, etc.

Not without NASA

I agree

[rayleighscatter]

So a 2017 launch date makes sense for Boeing but what is SpaceX going to be doing for the next 3 years (both of their launch abort tests will take place within the year)?  It seems like SpaceX is way out in front of Boeing so I'm wondering why the 2017 date is being used for both providers.

Maybe NASA is protecting Boeing from looking bad?

Risk reduction. Both companies know where the finish line is and there's no bonus for getting there first.

[SoundForesight]

Sirangelo was in CO, not FL. Does anyone know where Musk was today, and/or who was on hand in FL to answer questions for SpaceX?

[mr. mark]

Musk was sitting by the pool sipping some victory champagne.

[BrightLight]

Seeing Boeing beat SNC is disappointing but not unexpected, I guess the rationale might be - If you pay Boeing enough money, they will make it work - conservative, and low risk. Too bad for the Dream Chaser, I'm a lifting body fan boy.

[mr. mark]

I think ESA and Germany are interested to help develop Dream Chaser space plane, hardware, software, etc.

Not without NASA

Jim you seem hardened on Dream Chaser. What's your perspective on this? What do you think entered into the decision against Dream Chaser.

[Hirox]

Sirangelo was in CO, not FL. Does anyone know where Musk was today, and/or who was on hand in FL to answer questions for SpaceX?

Launching rockets with Jurvetson

https://twitter.com/dfjsteve/status/512001820936650753

[Chris Bergin]

Here's my first article on all of this:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/09/dream-chaser-misses-out-cctcap-dragon-cst-100-win/

Was a bit more edgy in draft with more source notes, but decided to straight shoot it in the end as this is about the award. We'll be doing more articles on this over time.

[dlapine]

Nice article, glad you got it out today.

Nice that SNC gets some mention as a previous front runner.

[yg1968]

Here is the audio teleconference with Commercial Crew Program Manager Kathy Lueders which followed the other one:
http://www.gamefront.com/files/24480705/CCtCap+NASA+News+Audio+-Sept+16+2014+.zip

P.S. I will post it to YouTube when I get a chance.

I have now posted the audio CCtCap teleconference with Lueders on YouTube:

[HIP2BSQRE]

Still interested in how they explain paying one contract 60% more than the other for the same service.

Because Boeing asked for more and SpaceX asked for less.

Which ought to result in Boeing being offered the opportunity to take half the contract at the SpaceX bid price or leave the entire 4.4 B contract to SpaceX saving 2.4B. It's not like 2.4B is peanuts relative to the NASA budget.

I agree with you..this makes no sense.