Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office (C3PO)

Implement U.S. Space Exploration policy with investments to stimulate the commercial space industry

Facilitate U.S. private industry demonstration of cargo and crew space transportation capabilities with the goal of achieving safe, reliable, cost effective access to low-Earth orbit

Create a market environment in which commercial space transportation services are available to Government and private sector customers

The C3PO will extend human presence in space by enabling an expanding and robust U.S. commercial space transportation industry.NASA’s traditional approach is to create government owned and operated systems, working in a government/contractor relationship with industry. To help stimulate commercial spaceflight, the Commercial Crew & Cargo Program employs a different strategy where industry creates privately owned and operated space transportation systems, with NASA serving as a lead investor and customer of transportation services. Furthermore, NASA provides technical assistance as industry develops and demonstrates its services.The Program manages Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) partnership agreements with U.S. industry totaling $800M for commercial cargo transportation demonstrations and is investing $50M towards commercial crew development initiatives.