Nasa’s launch services program (LSP) has awarded $17.1m to three firms to develop a launch vehicle to send miniaturised cubesats satellites into low-Earth orbit for space exploration.
In three separate Venture Class Launch Services (VCLS) contracts, the agency gave $5.5m to Firefly Space Systems, $6.9m to Rocket Lab and $4.7m to Virgin Galactic.
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The contract states that each of these companies will launch 60kg of cubesats to low-Earth orbit by 2018.
The goal of these three launches is to demonstrate rocket technology that will get cubesats off the ground cheaply and efficiently, on trajectories designed just for them, for years to come.
Currently, the small satellites and science missions can be launched only when space is available on Nasa and other launches.
The new contract aims to support Nasa’s smallest class of launch services.
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By GlobalDataNASA Washington headquarters launch services director Jim Norman said: "LSP is attempting to foster commercial launch services dedicated to transporting smaller payloads into orbit as an alternative to the rideshare approach and to promote the continued development of the US commercial space transportation industry.
"VCLS is intended to help open the door for future dedicated opportunities to launch CubeSats and other small satellites and science missions."
Miniature satellites like CubeSats are playing an increasingly larger role in Nasa’s exploration, technology demonstration, scientific research and educational investigations and provide low-cost platforms for missions.
More than 50 CubeSats will be launched in the next three years under Nasa’s launch services program.
The three companies that got VCLS contracts are yet to fly commercial missions with their launch vehicles but they are continuing their research towards the goal.
Firefly space systems is developing a rocket named Alpha which recently conducted a successful engine test on the ground.
Recently, Virgin Galactic also performed an engine ground test for its LauncherOne rocket and Rocket Lab stated that the first flight of its Electron rocket launch would be held next year.
