Nov 08, 2010

Michael Braukus/J D Harrington Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979/5241 michael j braukus@nasa gov
j d harrington@nasa gov

RELEASE: 10-292

NASA SELECTS COMPANIES FOR HEAVY-LIFT LAUNCH VEHICLE STUDIES

WASHINGTON -- NASA has selected 13 companies for negotiations leading to potential contract awards to conduct systems analysis and trade studies for evaluating heavy-lift launch vehicle system concepts, propulsion technologies, and affordability

The selected companies are:

Aerojet General Corp , Rancho Cordova, Calif Analytical Mechanics Associates, Huntsville, Ala Andrews Space, Tukwila, Wash Alliant Techsystems, Huntsville, Ala The Boeing Co , Huntsville, Ala Lockheed Martin Corp , Huntsville, Ala Northrop Grumman Systems Corp , Huntsville, Ala Orbital Sciences Corp , Chandler, Ariz Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Canoga Park, Calif Science Applications International Corp , Huntsville, Ala Space Exploration Technologies Corp , Hawthorne, Calif United Launch Alliance, Centennial, Colo United Space Alliance, Huntsville, Ala

The awards total approximately $7 5 million with a maximum individual contract award of $625,000 Each company will provide a final report to help lay the groundwork for the transportation system that could launch humans to multiple destinations, including asteroids, Lagrange points, the moon and Mars

"These trade studies will provide a look at innovative launch vehicle concepts, propulsion technologies, and processes that should make human exploration missions more affordable," said Doug Cooke, associate administrator of NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at the agency's Headquarters in Washington "If we are to travel beyond low-Earth orbit, industry's collaboration is essential to reduce the cost associated with our future exploration goals and approaches and make the heavy-lift vehicle affordable to build and fly "

The studies will include heritage systems from shuttle and Ares, as well as alternative architectures and identify propulsion technology gaps including main propulsion elements, propellant tanks and rocket health management systems The reports will include assessments of various heavy-lift launch vehicle and in-space vehicle that use different propulsion combinations The companies will examine how these combinations can be employed to meet multiple mission objectives

NASA will use the recommendations to evaluate heavy-lift launch vehicle concepts and propulsion technologies for affordability that will be required to enable robust and sustainable future exploration missions

For more information about NASA, exploration and other programs, visit:

http://www nasa gov

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