Masten Space Systems Wins NASA Suborbital Flight Contract
MOJAVE, Calif., August 10, 2011 (MSS PR) – Masten Space Systems, Inc., a leader in the emerging commercial spaceflight industry, announced today that it has been selected as a vendor for NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program. The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract will allow Masten to compete for task orders to fly payloads and technologies on board Masten’s reusable launch vehicles, which have flown more than 100 times from the Mojave Air and Space Port.
“We’re pleased to be selected as a Flight Opportunities vendor today,” said Joel Scotkin, Masten’s CEO. “In a few short years, we’ll look back on this contract as a major step towards lowing the barriers to space access.”
Masten is currently flight testing their reusable vehicle dubbed “Xaero,” and is working towards performance dates for a contract with the same office from fiscal year 2010. “We recently conducted our first free flight test on Xaero and after some modifications we are looking forward to reaching more milestones in the near future,” said David Masten, Chairman and CTO.
“We remain committed to leading the development of the suborbital research market – participating in the Flight Opportunities Program is squarely in line with our commercial technology development roadmap,” said Colin Ake, Director of Business Development. “We’re looking forward to broadening the access to the suborbital research market and providing increasing numbers of researchers access to the novel capabilities offered by our vertical takeoff and landing platforms.”
About Masten Space Systems, Inc.
Masten Space Systems, based in Mojave, CA, is an aerospace company developing fully reusable vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) launch vehicles, technology and concept demonstration, technology acceleration, and engineering services. The company’s production and testing facilities are located on the Mojave Air and Space Port. Masten rapidly develops and iterates on rocket technologies, and achieves operational efficiency through a bias towards action and continuous improvement. For more information, visit www.masten-space.com
