Advances made by these American companies during the first contract phase known as the certification products contracts (CPC) will begin the process of ensuring integrated crew transportation systems will meet agency safety requirements and standards to launch American astronauts to the International Space Station from the United States, ending the agency's reliance on Russia for these transportation services.

ENGADGET: NASA awards Boeing, SpaceX and Sierra Nevada $30 million in contracts

On Wednesday, top Russian space officials will meet to decide whether the new station should be launched into an orbit closer to Mir, allowing astronauts to salvage some of its equipment for the new station.

CNN: Russia reluctant to let Mir die