Opportunities and Challenges for Supporting Commercial Space at NASA

Ballute Entry Systems for Lunar Return and Low-Earth-Orbit Return Missions

“…However, neither of these vehicles are intended to survive Earth reentry and thus cannot provide a downmass capability. Commercial cargo delivery services are also being solicited as part of NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) effort [9]. Concepts associated with the COTS effort are still in the design stages and significant effort remains before an initial operating capability.…”