NASA to Open Launch Sites to 2 Rocket Firms

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will let two rocket makers use government launch facilities to speed up development of a new commercial rocket industry, officials said Tuesday.

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, to help re-establish a commercial industry for expendable launch vehicles.

General Dynamics has already negotiated a launch agreement with NASA that is under consideration in Congress, a company official said.

Under the plan, NASA will be reimbursed by the rocket companies for any costs it incurs.

Transpace Carriers Inc. had planned to launch satellites commercially using Delta rockets, but the company, which has spent $6.5 million on the project, has had trouble meeting space agency requirements.