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Unlike the aviation industry, the commercial development of space -
and space transportation systems - has not progressed at a very rapid pace.
The C3PO COTS program will enable the creation of new, commercial space transportation systems
and demonstrate capabilities to provide cost-effective transportation services to orbit.
With a "walk before running" incremental strategy,
the C3PO COTS project's initial focus is on helping the private sector develop
and demonstrate space cargo transportation capabilities.
As part of the agency's ongoing efforts to transfer NASA technology to the private sector,
NASA is using Space Act Agreements to provide financial and technical assistance
to two companies - Orbital Sciences Corporation, and SpaceX, or Space Exploration Technologies.
LINDENMOYER ON CAM: This was set out from the beginning not
to be a traditional research and development cost contract.
This was going to be a partnership - we're sharing the cost, we're sharing the risk.
VALIN ON CAM: We're like a lead investor - we're providing financial assistance.
We have two partners, and the way we're set up is we have fixed-price performance milestones.
We're not in their day-to-day business.
When they hit these milestones, these objective success criteria,
they receive additional funding from NASA.