NASA to use commercial pilots for crewed capsule test flights

Universe Today : NASA has announced that it is adopting a new policy for test flights of the various manned spacecraft being developed by private industry. It mirrors the military’s policy of having initial test flights of new aircraft performed by commercial test pilots. Ed Mango, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, explained that it puts more emphasis on having the private companies thoroughly test and ensure the safety of their craft. The first tests of the manned spacecraft being developed by Boeing, Sierra Nevada Corp, and SpaceX are expected to occur in 2015. The three companies are currently receiving funding from NASA through the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability Initiative. Future NASA budgets will likely play a factor in how many of the projects continue to be funded after the current funding period ends in 2014.