As reported in this blog, Rocketplane Kistler is in danger of losing a NASA contract to develop a man-rated spacecraft capable of transporting crews to and from the International Space Station. Acquiring private funding to augment NASA funding has proven to be a problem.
If RpK can't continue in its development, and if NASA wants to maintain a competitor against SpaceX, SpaceDev is ready to step up. The Poway, California, based corporation came in third in the original contract award competition, but has continued to develop its vehicle, the Dream Chaser. SpaceDev has an income stream, several products, and several clients, so it would seem to be in a financial position to push the program forward with an infusion of NASA dollars.
SpaceDev says Dream Chaser is designed to be more than a ferry between Earth and ISS. It could operate as a space platform on its own, as well as serving in the space tourism industry. So, whatever happens with RpK. we might be hearing much more about SpaceDev and Dream Chasers.
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