NASA, facing the retirement of the shuttle fleet in 2011, is actively encouraging the development of
private space taxis.
Not exact matches
So if
private companies can successfully run
space taxi services to low - Earth orbit, what role is left for NASA?
Over the next few years NASA is hoping for similar commercial success in
taxiing astronauts — and many of these companies will likely offer
private citizens trips to
space as well.
NASA's future will depend on the involvement of
private companies to develop
space taxis and a new generation of vehicles for deep
space exploration.
Instead, the new plan would put billions towards helping
private companies develop their own rockets and spacecraft, which could then serve as
taxis to take astronauts to and from the International
Space Station.