NASA, Boeing, SpaceX looking to launch astronauts in 2017

NASA, Boeing and SpaceX will highlight key development activities, test plans and objectives for achieving certification of two American crew transportation systems, later this month. Under Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contracts for NASA's Launch America initiative, Boeing and SpaceX will develop safe and reliable crew transportation to and from the International Space Station on American spacecraft launched from the United States. This initiative returns the American industry to the forefront of human exploration technology and operations and ends the nation's sole reliance on Russia for crew transportation to the space station.