Rocketplane Kistler and Orbital Sciences announced Tuesday that they have entered into a strategic relationship to support the NASA COTS program and other applications of RpK's innovative space transportation system.
Orbital will join the RpK industrial contractor team with supporting responsibility for program management, systems integration, launch operations, and safety & mission assurance.
In addition, G. David Low, Orbital vice president, will lead Orbital's effort with support from Antonio Elias, executive vice president of Orbital's Advanced Programs Group. As part of this agreement, Orbital also plans to make a strategic investment in RpK.
Rocketplane Kistler and its K-1 space transportation system have been selected as one of the six finalists in NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program. RpK has proposed using its fully reusable K-1 to provide cost-effective and reliable delivery and return of cargo and science payloads to and from the International Space Station.
The K-1 is in an advanced state of development and will be capable of providing end-to-end ISS servicing beginning as early as 2009.
