The Alternate Access to Station (AAS) study, part of NASA's Space Launch Initiative program, will assess U.S. contingency options to the ISS.

The ISS nominally uses the Space Shuttle or internationally contributed foreign launch systems to deliver cargo to the ISS. NASA is interested in studying potential augmentation of these resupply methods with emerging launch service providers. This augmentation is envisioned to enhance ISS operability.

During the three-month study, Kistler will develop and submit to NASA a detailed roadmap showing how the K-1 can become a viable choice to meet NASA's ISS contingency resupply needs.

"NASA is very supportive of the U.S. emerging launch vehicle providers. In this solicitation, we particularly wanted to hear from small businesses such as Kistler," said Dan Dumbacher, manager of the 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle Program at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

"We have received very innovative proposals and look forward to the results of the AAS study such that we can move forward with the Alternate Access Project of the Space Launch Initiative."

As the world's first commercial fully reusable launch vehicle, the K-1 provides a unique capability to augment NASA's resupply strategies for the ISS.

"The K-1 can provide NASA with low-cost, responsive and flexible launch services for contingency resupply needs to the ISS," said Kistler Chief Executive Officer, Dr. George E. Mueller. "This study is a first step in demonstrating how the K-1 will meet the NASA visiting vehicle requirements for safe and efficient rendezvous and berthing with the ISS."

Kistler Aerospace is completing design and development of the K-1. A fleet of five vehicles is planned to support launch rates of one per week. Kistler has fewer than 50 employees and is a privately funded U.S. company with corporate offices in Kirkland, Wash., and executive offices in Los Angeles.

The K-1 will become the reliable, low-cost provider of launch services for commercial, civil, and military payloads destined for Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), as well as to ISS. Orbital flight tests and commercial operations will be conducted from Woomera, Australia, followed by the commencement of commercial operations from the Nevada Test Site.

Kistler

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