Commercial Low Earth Orbit Program Office
Angela T. Hart, Manager, Commercial Low Earth Orbit Program Office
Camille Alleyne, Deputy Manager, Commercial Low Earth Orbit Program Office
A robust and competitive low-Earth orbit (LEO) economy is vital to continued progress in space. The United States is committed to encouraging and facilitating the growth of the U.S. commercial space sector that supports U.S. needs, is globally competitive, and advances U.S. leadership in the next generation of new markets and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. NASA has developed a long-term vision to achieve this goal where, one day, NASA will become one of many customers in low-Earth orbit. This plan builds on, uses the capabilities of, and applies the lessons learned from over a decade of work and experience with commercial companies.
As a result, NASA’s Human Exploration and Operation Mission Directorate (HEOMD) recently established the Commercial LEO Development Program Office at Johnson Space Center to manage the implementation of the Agency’s Commercial LEO strategy. The primary goal is to facilitate the development of commercially owned and operated LEO destination from which NASA, along with other customers, can purchase series and stimulate the growth of commercial activities in LEO. It also includes a focused effort to maintain a continuous US human presence in LEO – with both government astronauts and private citizens. This strategy will allow NASA to maximize its resources toward missions beyond LEO, while still having the ability to utilize LEO for its ongoing needs.
