From Gizmodo: Following (some) successful launches NASA has given SpaceX and Orbital massive contracts to send supplies to the ISS. The contracts, for $1.6 billion and $1.9 billion, contract these two companies to deliver about 20 tons of cargo to the International Space Station. This
will serve as a temporary holdover during the period between NASA's Shuttle and Constellation programs, sending supplies from 2010 until 2016, at least.
As a little side comment, I hope I am not the only one that sees problems here. It's a situation that even under the most beneficial light makes the space agency look inept. You mean to tell me that when these ships where first conceptualized that no one saw a time when they would have to be retired and make allowances and provisions for such an inevitability? Now they are building hope onto a six year plan mind you that is based on a system that has yet to even prove itself viable!
will serve as a temporary holdover during the period between NASA's Shuttle and Constellation programs, sending supplies from 2010 until 2016, at least.
As a little side comment, I hope I am not the only one that sees problems here. It's a situation that even under the most beneficial light makes the space agency look inept. You mean to tell me that when these ships where first conceptualized that no one saw a time when they would have to be retired and make allowances and provisions for such an inevitability? Now they are building hope onto a six year plan mind you that is based on a system that has yet to even prove itself viable!
