U.S. congressional investigators are scrutinizing NASA’s decision to outsource some of its weightless training flights to the private Zero-G Corporation, Space News reports.
“According to a congressional staffer involved in the investigation, lawmakers are questioning Zero-G’s commitment to NASA, and sources familiar with the matter said the committee is skeptical that commercial flights are cheaper than NASA continuing to use its own plane,” the paper said.
In January, Zero-G was awarded a contract to provide micro-gravity services to NASA. The company, which was the lone bidder, has a monopoly on commercial micro-gravity flights within the United States. The deal is worth between $300,000 and $25.4 million depending upon how many flights NASA uses.
Zero-G has flown about 5,000 people aboard its modified Boeing 727 aircraft. NASA uses a modified Navy C-9 transport to train astronauts and conduct micro-gravity experiments.
The two-week old investigation began with an odd mistake. The first letter seeking information sent to NASA by Rep. Brad Miller, chairman of the investigations and oversight subcommittee, included allegations that Zero-G had flown a flight for the producers of the “Girls Gone Wild” video series. Both the producers and Zero-G dispute this charge; they say another company in Moscow flew the flight. Miller’s office issued a corrected letter later in the day.
Investigators have requested information from NASA Ames Research Center focusing on research collaboration between the center and Zero-G. It also requested information about Zero-G’s use of Ames and Moffett Field for non-government related activities. In February, Zero-G flew a parabolic tourist flight out of Moffett Field. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and his fiancee Jennifer Siebel were among those who paid $3,500 for the 90 minute flight. Another flight from Moffett Field is scheduled for July.
In a statement, Zero-G CEO Peter Diamandis praised the NASA employees who awarded his company the contract and expressed confidence they would be ultimately vindicated by the Congressional review.
“Given the scrupulous professionalism shown by all NASA staff throughout the long and deliberate procurement process, we are confident that the committee will find that NASA has acted carefully and cost-effectively, and in a manner that will ultimately save U.S. taxpayers’ money and provide them high scientific value and also economic and educational benefits,” Diamandis said.
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