A Galaxy (Not) FAR Away? NASA Awards New Contracts in Space Privatization Program

On August 3, NASA announced the award of three new Space Act Agreements to provide funding for the public-private development of spacecraft to launch crew and cargo into low-earth orbit, pursuant to NASA's Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative. The agreements, which are not subject to FAR, are intended to develop "reliable and cost-effective access to and from the International Space Station and low Earth orbit" and ultimately allow NASA, and other government and commercial customers, to purchase spaceflight services from a private space industry.