NASA signs agreement to share information with Canadian spacecraft project
Published: Thursday, February 1, 2007 | 5:34 PM ET
Canadian Press: MICHAEL TUTTON
HALIFAX (CP) - NASA is acknowledging that a Canadian-designed spacecraft is a "potentially viable idea" to carry passengers and cargo from a Cape Breton launch pad to its international space station.
The space agency issued a release Thursday saying it has signed an agreement with PlanetSpace Inc. to share some technical information as the firm attempts to develop a rocketship in the next three years.
The agreement provides no cash to PlanetSpace, unlike an arrangement with two U.S.-based companies that have access to $500 million in funding.
However, the news release states the space agency "will share information that will help the companies understand projected requirements for space station crew and cargo transportation vehicles."
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The designer said he's expecting the first milestone in the project would come next year, when the Silver Dart will take off from a Nova Scotia launch pad and fly through the atmosphere at an altitude of about 6,500 metres.
"By the end of 2008 we will put the Silver Dart on top of our rocket booster and fly it 4,000 miles," said Sheerin.
By the end of 2009, the goal is to send the spacecraft, named after an early airplane tested in Cape Breton, into orbit.
Eventually, the company says it wants to launch commercial customers into space and expects to create 5,000 "space tourists" over five years.
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Kathuria said the firm is going to request land be contributed by Nova Scotia Business Inc., the province's economic development agency.
"We're in discussions for a signficant piece of land in the Cape Breton area," said Kathuria.
"We haven't bought any land. I think that would be part of the contribution of Nova Scotia to the project."
Neither executive was able to provide a precise location for the launch pad site.
A spokeswoman for the Nova Scotia agency, Sarah Levy, said she has no comment on whether the land will be provided.
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Atlantic/070201/t020115A.html