Expert Voices: Reactions to NASA's Private Space Taxi Picks

NASA astronauts should be able to hitch a ride to space aboard space taxis built by private two companies in the next three years, and reactions are strong.

Officials with the space agency announced Tuesday (Sept. 16) that the commercial spaceflight companies Boeing and SpaceX have been awarded $4.2 billion and $2.6 billion respectively to fly crewed missions to the International Space Station by 2017. The commercial crew contracts are designed to end NASA's reliance on Russia's Soyuz space capsules to deliver crewmembers to the station, and return crewed launches to the United States.

Scroll down to see how experts in spaceflight and government are reacting to the big NASA news:

Elon Musk, Founder and CEO of SpaceX

SpaceX is deeply honored by the trust NASA has placed in us. We welcome today’s decision and the mission it advances with gratitude and seriousness of purpose. It is a vital step in a journey that will ultimately take us to the stars and make humanity a multi-planet species. [See images of SpaceX's manned Dragon capsule]

John Elbon, Boeing VP and general manager, Space Exploration

Boeing has been part of every American human space flight program, and we’re honored that NASA has chosen us to continue that legacy. The CST-100 offers NASA the most cost-effective, safe and innovative solution to U.S.-based access to low-Earth orbit. [See images of Boeing's CST-100 capsule to transport astronauts to the space station]

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (partial statement)

Today, with the selection of Boeing and SpaceX to be the first American companies to launch our astronauts to the International Space Station, NASA has set the stage for what promises to be the most ambitious and exciting chapter in the history of human space flight.

From day one, the Obama Administration has made it clear that the greatest nation on Earth should not be dependent on other nations to get into space. Thanks to the leadership of President Obama and the hard work of our NASA and industry teams, today we are one step closer to launching our astronauts from U.S. soil on American spacecraft and ending the nation’s sole reliance on Russia by 2017. Turning over low-Earth orbit transportation to private industry also will allow NASA to focus on an even more ambitious mission – sending humans to Mars.

(Read the full statement here: http://blogs.nasa.gov/bolden/2014/09/16/american-companies-selected-to-return-astronaut-launches-to-american-soil/)

Commercial Spaceflight Federation President Michael Lopez-Alegria

With this award, we are one major step closer to restoring our nation’s ability to launch U.S. astronauts to the ISS from American soil. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is developing safe, reliable transportation to low-Earth orbit through the use of innovative contracting mechanisms. NASA’s selection of two companies demonstrates its prudent commitment to both competition and operational redundancy. With these commercial companies developing transportation for astronauts to and from LEO, NASA can focus more of its resources on deep space exploration.

Commercial Spaceflight Federation Chairman Frank DiBello

The Commercial Crew Program is the quickest and most cost-effective way to get our astronauts flying again in U.S. vehicles. However, the beauty of the commercial space industry is in its diversity. While these companies work to restore crewed LEO transportation capabilities, other companies are working to grow those and other markets in space. CSF congratulates NASA on the awards and we look forward to supporting the next steps in the new space era.

House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas)

I congratulate Boeing and SpaceX on their achievements in the Commercial Crew Program. Both companies and the thousands of people they employ have a crucial task before them as they work to further U.S. space exploration. They also have a responsibility to the U.S. taxpayers who are making considerable contributions to the development of these commercial space capabilities. “As Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I look forward to the time when we once again launch American astronauts on American rockets from American soil. The days of paying Russians $70 million per astronaut for access to the International Space Station must come to an end as soon as possible. I look forward to working with these companies and NASA, to end our reliance on foreign carriers by ensuring safe, reliable, timely, and cost effective transportation to the International Space Station. This is a good day for our nation's space program and for all Americans.

House Science, Space & Technology Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)

I want to congratulate Boeing and SpaceX on receiving these awards. With the Shuttle fleet retired, NASA has focused its human space flight priorities on the effective use of the ISS; the development of a beyond low Earth orbit exploration capability using the System Launch System and Orion crew capsule; and public/private partnerships that, if successful, will eventually allow NASA to buy services — not vehicles — to transport its astronauts to the ISS. I am encouraged by today’s announcement as it will allow NASA, Boeing, and SpaceX to complete development, testing and certification of the needed capability. That capability must be proven safe according to NASA requirements and it must be cost-effective given the significant investment taxpayers are being asked to make. These partnerships are important and I look forward to monitoring their development because we need safe and reliable crew transport to allow the full and productive utilization of the ISS. I commend NASA, its employees, and supporting contractors on reaching this important milestone, and I urge the agency to heed the thrust of the House-passed NASA Authorization Act by keeping safety as the highest priority in executing this contract and in implementing future Commercial Crew Program endeavors.

House Space Subcommittee Ranking Member Donna F. Edwards (D-MD)

I offer my congratulations to Boeing and SpaceX and wish them success in carrying out this phase of the Commercial Crew Program. Through its thirty years of service, the Space Shuttle has enabled NASA to launch and refurbish the Hubble Space Telescope as well as build and resupply the ISS. After the flight of STS-135 in July 2011, the Space Shuttle fleet was formally retired. My hope is that NASA’s announcement means America will resume our role of transporting astronauts to the ISS in a safe and reliable manner. This will enable NASA to focus on human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and to work toward achieving the long-term goal of a human mission to Mars. We must continue to dedicate ourselves to our Nation’s space program. The next generation of Americans is counting on us.

Follow Miriam Kramer @mirikramer and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.