MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. signed a strategic long-term agreement with Rocketplane Kistler to participate in the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, MacDonald Dettwiler announced Oct. 31.

Rocketplane Kistler is one of the two finalists selected recently by NASA to develop a COTS demonstration model. The program is intended to demonstrate the viability of alternative space transportation capabilities in anticipation of procuring commercial space transportation services after the space shuttle fleet is retired.

MacDonald Dettwiler will provide support for the rendezvous and docking of Rocketplane Kistler’s orbital vehicle, K1, with the International Space Station, plus the development and sustainment of the unpressurized cargo subsystems.