NASA needs a new service after retiring space shuttle last year Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos runs of four companies research space taxi service <\/p>\n
By Eddie Wrenn <\/p>\n
PUBLISHED: 06:45 EST, 10 May 2012 | UPDATED: 07:53 EST, 10 May 2012 <\/p>\n
Two of NASA's biggest contractors are teaming up with a European agency to create a 'space taxi' for when astronauts need a quick lift away from this planet. <\/p>\n
Currently, NASA must 'catch a ride' from the Russian space agency when astronauts want to visit the International Space Station, following the retirement of the space shuttle last year. <\/p>\n
Exactly what fare Russia charges NASA for the 260-mile trip is unknown, but NASA will certainly want to be less reliant on another nation for space jaunts.<\/p>\n
So now NASA is funding space taxi research with four separate companies - Boeing, Space Exploration Technologies, Sierra Nevada Corp, and Blue Origin, a startup owned by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos.<\/p>\n
The Space Shuttle Enterprise, taking a quick trip through New York last month as it prepares for retirement at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York <\/p>\n
NASA is reviewing bids for at least two design contracts, valued at $300 million to $500 million apiece. <\/p>\n
The taxi service will be composed of recycled space shuttle parts along with a new NASA prototype spaceship. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Read more from the original source:<\/p>\n
NASA 'space taxi' will reduce reliance on Russia to go to International Space Station<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" NASA needs a new service after retiring space shuttle last year Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos runs of four companies research space taxi service By Eddie Wrenn PUBLISHED: 06:45 EST, 10 May 2012 | UPDATED: 07:53 EST, 10 May 2012 Two of NASA's biggest contractors are teaming up with a European agency to create a 'space taxi' for when astronauts need a quick lift away from this planet. Currently, NASA must 'catch a ride' from the Russian space agency when astronauts want to visit the International Space Station, following the retirement of the space shuttle last year Continue reading