Chicago-based PlanetSpace, Inc., is yet another small company trying to develop a spacecraft capable of delivering cargo or crew to the ISS. After the shuttle is retired in 2010, and before the new Orion spacecraft is scheduled to fly in 2015, NASA will have no way to put astronauts in orbit. It is looking for a privately developed and operated craft to fill the gap.
PlanetSpace, in partnership with Lochheed Martin, is competing for NASA funding to build its Module Cargo Carrier. If it wins the contract, the first flight of the MCC is planned for 2010. The funding is available because, as reported in this blog, Rocketplane Kistler lost funding when it failed to find necessary private fundiing.
PlanetSpace is also developing the Silver Dart, a suborbital manned craft aimed at the space tourism market.
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