Elon Musk vs. Jeff Bezos: Billionaires bid for NASA’s space shuttle launchpad

DNP Bezos vs musk

Here’s an epic fight that won’t take place inside the octagon: Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are apparently competing to take over a NASA launchpad… and instead of dishing out jiu-jitsu moves, they’re letting money do the talking. In particular, the dotcom billionaires’ space companies, Blue Origin and SpaceX, are bidding for Kennedy Space Center’s historic Launch Complex 39A — site of NASA’s first and last space shuttle blast-off. Each company’s plan for 39A is to launch both unmanned missions and shuttles carrying commercial customers and astronaut crews into space. Bezos’ Blue Origin, however, also aims to turn it into a multi-use facility where other companies can launch their rockets for a price. NASA’s keeping bidding details on the down low, but seeing as it wants to offload 39A in October to save money, we’ll know soon enough who’ll win this battle of the dollars.

[Image credit: NASA]

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Via: The Verge

Source: NBC News

Boeing, SpaceX win NASA ‘space taxi’ funding race (updated)

Boeing, SpaceX reportedly wins NASA space taxi funding race

NASA has reportedly picked Boeing and SpaceX as the two companies to receive primary funding for the “Commercial Crew Program.” The news was reportedly leaked to NBC News’ Jay Barbree, but all parties involved have refused to comment until NASA makes the official announcement later today. While Boeing and SpaceX are likely to take home the bulk of $1 billion in funding, Sierra Nevada has been picked as the “standby” candidate — with a mandate to step in if either primary partner fails. If true, then it means that Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin has been cut out of the race entirely — although disappointment is easier to take if you’re a billionaire… we’ve heard.

Update: NASA’s confirmed its picks, with back-up choice Sierra Nevada picking up $212.5 million, while Space X and Boeing got $440 million and $460 million, respectively. To celebrate, SpaceX’s crafted another stargazing video — it’s right after the break.

Continue reading Boeing, SpaceX win NASA ‘space taxi’ funding race (updated)

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Boeing, SpaceX win NASA ‘space taxi’ funding race (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 06:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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