05.17.01

Senator Cantwell Announces: $135 Million NASA Award to a Small Business in Kirkland $3 million NASA Award to a Seattle-based Company

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash) and U.S. Representative Jay Inslee (D-Wash) today announced that Kistler Aerospace Corporation, a small business located in Kirkland, Washington, today received a $135 million award from NASA's Space Launch Initiative Program. Cantwell also announced that Andrews Space and Technology in Seattle, Washington received a $3 million award from NASA's Space Launch Initiative.

Kistler Aerospace Corporation Announcement

"This award is a testament to the exciting and innovative work Kistler is doing," said Cantwell. "I am proud that Washington state is home to a small business like Kistler that is playing a big role in the opening of the space frontier for continued scientific exploration and economic expansion. Kistler's work will help to make space flight safe and affordable for both the government and private industry."

"It is no surprise that American know-how is alive and well in Kirkland - I applaud Kistler's employees for their ingenuity and hard work," said Inslee. "The reusable launch vehicle is an incredible project, and it is very exciting for us to see a local company provide this vehicle to NASA."

Kistler Aerospace Corporation is designing and developing the K-1 - the world's first fully reusable launch vehicle. The K-1 will become the reliable, low-cost provider of launch services for commercial, civil, and military payloads.

"Kistler Aerospace is doing important work," noted Cantwell. "The K-1 will provide a service that radically changes the economics of doing business in space. I am pleased that this award will take Kistler a step closer to completing the K-1."

Andrews Space and Technology Announcement

Andrews Space and Technology of Seattle received a $3 million award from NASA's Space Launch Initiative.

"This award to Andrews Space and Technology is great news for the development of lower cost space transportation. I am certainly not surprised that such innovative work is happening in Washington state," said Cantwell.

The Andrews Space and Technology award is for the TA-8 propulsion program for a 2-year program to develop propulsion technology that should significantly decrease costs of space transportation and may open spaced-based commercial markets.