NASA announced that private sectors can now fund US astronauts on low-orbit Earth explorations with the help of a new contract that can end nation's reliance to Russia in 2017.

The Commercial Crew Transportation Capability Contracts were designed to complete the NASA certification for human space transportation systems that can carry people to orbit, they explained.

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The systems would be used to transport astronauts to the International Space Station and return them safely to Earth, they concluded.

Charlie Bolden, Administrator of NASA, said that the Obama Administration made it clear that the greatest nation on Earth could not be dependent to other nation to get into space.

He said that they are one step away for launching astronauts on American spacecraft and will end their reliance to Russian technology.

He believe that by giving low-Earth orbit transportation to private industry would allow NASA to focus on more ambitious missions like sending humans to Mars.

According to NASA, the contract includes a flight test per company which will be accompanied by a NASA astronaut that will maneuver the space craft into orbit and dock it back to the space station.

The contract would be under the Commercial Crew Program of NASA that will ensure the spacecraft's safety and reliability.

Kathy Lueders, manager of the program, said that they are thankful to the American business sector that will be part of the program.

This program would open jobs and new markets for the private sector, she added.

Authorities from NASA mentioned that companies will own and operate the crew transportation systems.

They can also sell human space transportation services to other customers aside from NASA, they added.

Giving authority to private companies in handling low-Earth orbit launches will allow NASA to have more information, authorities said.

This will also allow them to focus on building spacecraft and rockets for deep space missions which includes flights to Mars, they concluded.