One space station company sues another for copying its work
Summary
Axiom Space has filed a False Claims Act lawsuit accusing Vast Space of submitting a NASA mission-planning document that used Axiom’s proprietary information. Vast says the case is an attempt to hinder competition. The dispute comes as companies prepare proposals for NASA’s private space station program, due December 14.Key Facts
- A federal judge unsealed the lawsuit on November 4.
- Axiom alleges NASA told it on June 3 that its sensitive information appeared in a document Vast submitted.
- Axiom says Vast’s document retained Axiom’s name and company details in some places and replaced its name with “the PAM Provider” in others.
- The disputed document is a Mission Integration and Operations Management Plan, an operational plan required under the companies’ NASA contracts.
- NASA’s Private Astronaut Missions program began in 2019 and allows companies to arrange missions of up to four astronauts to the International Space Station.
- Axiom organized the first four private astronaut missions, and NASA awarded it a fifth mission in January.
- NASA awarded a sixth private astronaut mission to Vast in February and a seventh to Voyager Technologies in April.
- Companies’ final proposals for NASA’s private space station competition are due December 14.
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