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NASA Refines Design For Crew Exploration Vehicle

A mockup of the future CEV. Credits: NASA.
Washington DC (SPX) Jan 12, 2006
NASA's Constellation Program is making progress toward selecting a prime contractor to design, develop and build the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), America's first new human spacecraft in 30 years.

The agency has issued Phase II of a Request for Proposals. It is a "Call for Improvements" that incorporates the results of additional analysis and study. Phase II adds detailed design, development and production requirements. Phase II proposals will be evaluated and used to select a single CEV contractor later this year. For RFP details, visit

The CEV is a key element of the Constellation Program, which will help NASA realize the Vision for Space Exploration. The CEV will transport up to six crew members to and from the International Space Station and up to four to and from the moon. It will also support future Mars missions.

For the first time, the Phase II Request for Proposals specifies a configuration for the spacecraft: an improved, blunt-body crew capsule shape. Requirements are based on future exploration mission needs and the desire to fly the first CEV mission as close as possible to 2010, when the space shuttle will be retired.

Phase I resulted in contract awards in July 2005 for CEV systems requirements definition to teams led by Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Systems. Phase II proposals are due March 20, 2006.

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NASA Selects ATK For First Stage Of Next Generation Crew Launch Vehicle
Minneapolis MN (SPX) Dec 08, 2005
NASA announced that Alliant Techsystems will become the prime contractor to design, develop, test, and evaluate the First Stage propulsion system for its next-generation Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV). The scope of work adds substantially to that performed by ATK on the space shuttle program.