WASHINGTON, June 18 (UPI) -- NASA officials have signed three Space Act agreements, expanding cooperation with companies interested in commercializing access to space.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said the companies signing the contracts are developing capabilities to transport goods and people into low Earth orbit.
The agreements, which do not provide any government funding, were signed with SpaceDev of Poway, Calif.; Spacehab of Houston; and Constellation Services International of Laguna Woods, Calif.
Under the agreements, NASA will provide information to help the companies understand projected requirements for International Space Station crew and cargo transportation launch vehicles, as well as spacecraft.
Officials said the program is designed to stimulate commercial enterprises in space, facilitate U.S. private industry development of reliable, cost-effective access to low Earth orbit and create a market environment in which commercial space transportation services are available to government and private customers.
By stimulating the growth of commercial space enterprise, NASA said it plans to free itself to focus on long-range space exploration.
