NASA and Boeing to Again Launch Astronauts from Florida

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex congratulates the Boeing Company and SpaceX, selected today by NASA to launch astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) from Kennedy Space Center as early as 2017. The announcement is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which identifies private sector companies to provide safe, cost-effective and reliable access through U.S. space transportation systems to and from the ISS and low Earth orbit. 

In this public-private partnership, industry partners are responsible for developing the spaceflight system, which it owns and operates. NASA certifies the systems for safety and reliability for NASA astronauts. The system becomes the “taxi ride” to low-Earth orbit, and NASA buys a ticket to use the service to transport astronauts.

“We congratulate The Boeing Company and SpaceX on being named by NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to launch astronauts to the International Space Station from Kennedy Space Center,” said Therrin Protze, Visitor Complex chief operating officer. “Manned launches will offer Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex guests the opportunity to witness history in the making as astronauts begin their journey to the ISS from the Space Coast.”

“This is a very exciting time for space exploration with manned launches from Kennedy Space Center scheduled for as early as 2017,” said Jon McBride, space shuttle astronaut. “The Boeing Company and SpaceX will make it possible for the United States to transport our own astronauts to space once again.”