NASA is preparing for the shift in ground operations from the Space Shuttle programme to the architecture needed for the Crew Exploration Vehicle, its Ares I launcher and the Ares V heavylift cargo booster.
The US agency has awarded its major Shuttle contractors ATK, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and United Space Alliance contracts to study concepts for Constellation ground operations, but says that Shuttle operations prime contractor United Space Alliance, a Boeing/Lockheed joint venture, is the only viable bidder for a contract to provide a bridge to future competitions for Constellation management support.
NASA says that for the assembly and physical integration of Constellation Ares I test flight elements, United Space Alliance "is the only known source with the wide range of unique skills to provide the required support to Constellation".
With the shift from the Space Shuttle to Constellation taking place in 2010 there has been speculation that United Space Alliance would be folded and either Boeing or Lockheed would take over launch operations outright. But Lockheed vice-president for space exploration John Karas says he expects the joint venture to continue for some time.
ATK is also bidding to manage Constellation ground operations. The company was responsible for substantial elements of Space Shuttle operations when the Vandenberg, California launch facility was being constructed.
ATK has already been contracted by NASA to provide integration for the first stage of the Ares I, which is expected to be flown from the former Shuttle launch complex 39 pad B at Kennedy.
Source: Flight International