NASA to Help 2 Rocket Makers

NASA will let two rocket makers use government launch facilities to speed development of a new commercial rocket industry, leaving one struggling company out in the cold, officials said today.

NASA officials said the agency plans to enter into commercial agreements with General Dynamics Corp., maker of the Atlas-Centaur rocket, and McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co., maker of the Delta. Transpace Carriers Inc. had long planned to launch satellites commercially using Delta rockets but was rebuffed, the officials said.