On Feb. 1, 2010, the Obama administration announced its plan to develop a new commercial manned spaceflight capability; NASA subsequently awarded $50 million in grants to five private firms as a first step to implement the vision of turning over space transportation to the commercial sector. A panel of experts will discuss the viability of flying the Space Shuttle as a commercial venture. The United States has made a significant investment in space shuttle facilities and personnel, but with the space shuttle program ending in 2011, the United States will be dependent on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft to fly crews to the International Space Station. The commercial operation of the space shuttle would be an alternative that would provide continuity to the nation"s human spaceflight program and make use of these existing assets.
