NASA seeks help with space delivery

WASHINGTON, July 21 (UPI) -- NASA is expected to announce soon commercial contracts that could help the U.S. space program after the shuttle is retired, reports say.

The agency said it would put up $500 million to see whether private companies could deliver cargo and perhaps even put a crew on the new space station as part of its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services effort, space.com says.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration says it will retire the space shuttle by the end of 2010 but does not expect money for a replacement until 2014.

Meanwhile, a rejected contract bidder says NASA does not appear focused on an urgent need for the project.

Charles Miller, president of Constellation Services International, says NASA appears more concerned with other, longer-term goals.