I thought NASA conducted all space launches. Why don commercial satellites fly on the Space Shuttle?
When the Space Shuttle was first developed, NASA had hoped that private companies would launch their satellites on the Shuttle. After the 1986 explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, U.S. policy placed a general ban on flying non-government payloads on the Shuttle. Today, commercial space launch vehicles are the only means of transportation to space in the United States for privately owned satellites. NASA also supports the launch industry by flying many of its satellites on launch vehicles that it purchases from private companies.
Related Questions
- Since commercial launches use vehicles that only make a one-way trip to space, does this mean the satellites they launch can be recovered from space for repairs or when they e no longer useful?
- I thought NASA conducted all space launches. Why don commercial satellites fly on the Space Shuttle?
- How many launches did Space Shuttle Columbia fly?
