Excalibur Almaz – Now What?
NASA and Excalibur Almaz Inc. Complete Space Act Agreement, NASA
“During this unfunded Space Act Agreement with EAI, NASA learned valuable information about how the company plans to upgrade the existing capsule with modern flight capabilities,” CCP Manager Ed Mango said. “We commend the EAI team for completing all of their established milestones during this partnership.”
Marc’s note: What happens now that Excalibur Almaz has completed its unfunded CCDev2 contract? Based on previous selections in the commercial crew program, and knowing only 2 1/2 proposals will be selected in the next round, it seems unlikely Excalibur Almaz will get funded. So it would seem Art Dula and co. will have to continue self-funding the project.
“So it would seem Art Dula and co. will have to continue self-funding the project.”
As they should. And as should any other truly COMMERCIAL space flight provider.
Those being funded through their CCDev contracts are exactly that – contractors. What they are NOT is commercial space flight providers. Not to argue here that being a contractor is inherently wrong or that being a commercial player is inherently right, just that we need to be honest about what is and is not private commerce.
Excalibur Almaz is Bigelow Aerospace ‘s rival. They both hope to supply space stations.
I wonder is an Excalibur Almaz spacestation will work at EML-1?
One of the spacestations could be used as the cheap control room for a LEO propellant depot or spaceship yard.
edit : spelling