NASA's commercial microgravity program

Abstract

This paper will review the goals, status, and progress of NASA's commercial microgravity program. The technologies and flight experiment programs underway by NASA's Centers for Commercial Development of Space (CCDS), the NASA/industry joint programs, and NASA's field Centers will be summarized along with the completed and planned commercial payload activities on Shuttle, suborbital rockets, SPACEHAB, and COMET. In addition, the out-year program including the Space Station Freedom planning will be addressed. Finally, the scope of NASA's commercial flight program will be reviewed along with the status of the new, transportation accommodations of SPACEHAB and COMET.