Under a $175K grant, SpaceDev will work with Sea Launch headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., to initiate a program for providing assured, affordable and timely access to space for secondary payloads.

The new SpaceDev business consists of an increase in the contract value of its CHIPSat micro-satellite, being built for UC Berkeley as part of NASA's first University Explorer program -- NASA's smallest and least expensive earth-orbiting mission.

Further revenues boosts will come with a contract with Boeing to provide NASA's JPL with a variety of Mars Sample Return mission architectures; a contract to support a Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission proposal; and two CSTA grants concerning the provision of affordable launches for micro-sats and for space-related education.

Commenting on the new business, Jim Benson, SpaceDev's chairman and CEO said, "SpaceDev is deeply committed to providing affordable access to space, and working with Sea Launch to explore frequent and reliable rides for micro-satellites and secondary payloads is a huge step in that direction.

This initiative could open up a whole new market for domestic commercial, science, exploration, and technology demonstration missions, not to mention increased demand for the kinds micro-sats we build.

As vice chairman of NASA's Space Grant Review Panel, I am also dedicated to long-term space, science and math education in our country -- and the new SpaceDev project to work with UC Davis will allow us to interact directly with aerospace students and faculty to help prepare tomorrow's workforce for the opportunities and excitement of space."

Governor Gray Davis, on announcing the awards stated, "California serves as the global leader of the commercial space industry. In an increasingly competitive world environment, the investment we make in these ideas today is essential to create the economic benefits and high quality jobs our state will enjoy tomorrow."

SpaceDev is teamed with the University of California Davis, which was selected for a separate CSA grant, to establish a Multidisciplinary Space Technology Lab under the leadership of Professor Nesrin Sarigul-Klijn, Professor of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering.

This project is in concert with the Space Development Institute, a non-profit charitable and educational organization established to perform scientific research, and to explore issues and practical solutions related to the opening of space to all of humanity.

SpaceDev is one of several California aerospace organizations awarded a CSA grant, intended to enhance or promote space flight and to improve California's international competitiveness in the space marketplace.

The California competitive space grant program provides funds for California-based entities to leverage private sector, federal and state resources to complete projects related to the commercial use of space, space vehicle launches, space launch infrastructure, manufacturing, applied research, technology development, economic diversification and business development.

The Highway to Space and Space Flight Competitive Grant Programs were created by the Governor and the California State Legislature to ensure the continued growth of innovation in California's commercial space industry.

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