{"id":17427,"date":"2022-01-26T21:00:31","date_gmt":"2022-01-26T13:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/nasa-puts-blue-origin-and-spaceflight-on-a-new-list-for-commercial-launch-contracts\/"},"modified":"2022-01-26T21:00:31","modified_gmt":"2022-01-26T13:00:31","slug":"nasa-puts-blue-origin-and-spaceflight-on-a-new-list-for-commercial-launch-contracts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/nasa-puts-blue-origin-and-spaceflight-on-a-new-list-for-commercial-launch-contracts\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA puts Blue Origin and Spaceflight on a new list for commercial launch contracts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An artist\u2019s conception shows Blue Origin\u2019s New Glenn rocket on its launch pad. (Blue Origin Illustration)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NASA has chosen a dozen companies to provide commercial launch services for relatively small-scale space missions over the next five years, including two ventures with Washington state connections.<\/p>\n

Jeff Bezos\u2019 Blue Origin space venture and Seattle-based Spaceflight Inc. will be eligible for shares of the $300 million that\u2019s been set aside for fixed-price contracts under a program known as NASA\u2019s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare Missions, or VADR.<\/p>\n

Although Blue Origin\u2019s corporate headquarters are in Kent, Wash., NASA is listing Blue Origin Florida as one of its VADR choices. That reflects the fact that orbital launches would be conducted from Florida using the company\u2019s New Glenn rocket, which is still under development.<\/p>\n

Spaceflight Inc., meanwhile, specializes in organizing rideshare missions that make use of other companies\u2019 rockets.<\/p>\n

VADR is a successor to NASA\u2019s Venture Class Launch Services program, and focuses on launching payloads ranging from CubeSats no bigger than a shoebox to somewhat larger spacecraft that are built for risk-tolerant Class D missions. <\/p>\n

Bradley Smith, director of launch services at NASA Headquarters, said in a news release that VADR has been crafted \u201cto maximize our efforts in enabling a growing U.S. launch industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith this new tool in our toolbox, these tremendously flexible contracts will meet a wide variety of NASA science and technology needs, further enhancing the agency\u2019s Launch Services Program\u2019s reputation as Earth\u2019s bridge to space,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n

In addition to Blue Origin and Spaceflight, the VADR list includes:<\/p>\n