David W. Thompson, chairman Orbital Sciences, a corporation that won a contract to re-supply the International Space Station, says his company wants to provide manned flight services for NASA. In his comments, however, Thompson suggested the timeline for this might be fifteen to twenty years.
The company currently produces a variety of space vehicles; the most [...]

It’s kind of shocking to think that the International Space Station—which is still not complete—is scheduled to be retired and de-orbited in 2016.
And some are questioning whether it will even make it that long. Also, how can such a huge structure be safely de-orbited?
First, a few words about the planned retirement. It seems silly. Why? [...]

Acting NASA Administrator Christopher Scolese told the House Appropriations Committee that some of the stimulus money will be used to help speed the development of private spacecraft for delivering astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

Competition to deliver astronauts
Currently, two companies have been developing spacecraft capable of being used for this purpose: SpaceX and Orbital [...]

Amazing private space companies
Looking at various private space companies, only a handful of the new-ish ones have delivered anything impressive. Some are already doing great things: SpaceX, Orbital Sciences, Scaled Composites.
Intriguing companies
Others are intriguing, but haven’t done much…yet. Think: Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, Bigelow Aerospace.
Add to the intriguing list: Reaction Engines LTD.
This British company is [...]

Although they won a sizeable NASA contract—to resupply the International Space Station—Orbital Sciences Corp. is finding the cost of filling that contract is a drag on profits.
Orbital Sciences is spending a lot of money—including massive hiring—to rush development of the vehicles to be used to fulfill its obligations under the contract. The Taurus 2 rocket [...]

ISS Re-supply Contract
Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) recently won a contract with NASA to re-supply the International Space Station (ISS). They, along with SpaceX, will do work previously only performed by the Russian Progress unmanned spacecraft…and our Shuttles.
I don’t know how OSC will do their work. What spacecraft they have and will be using to send [...]

The International Space Station will be re-supplied in the future by a private spacecraft!
SpaceX has won a contract from NASA to use its Falcon 9 booster and its Dragon spacecraft to send supplies to the ISS starting in 2010. Another winner is Orbital Sciences, which will also be re-supplying the ISS.
The 2 smallish startups beat [...]