re: COTS NASA and Kistler
Interesting. RpK and SpaceX were the two outfits chosen. The one I worked with (tSpace) lost out, along with others.
I knew from the beginning that SpaceX was the one to beat, and RpK had a long haul ahead of it.
Still, competitor or not, I hate to see any company in trouble like that when they've been trying their honest best (and I have no reason to think otherwise). I've been there when a dream has folded up and hit the auction block, and it's not fun.