SpaceDev (OTC Bulletin Board: SPDV), the world’s first publicly traded commercial space exploration and development company, announced that it has been awarded a subcontract by Boeing (NYSE: BA) Space & Communications to participate in the Mars Ascent Vehicle Concept Study for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. Boeing Space & Communications was awarded one of three contracts from JPL to develop concepts for a small rocket that will lift science samples gathered by NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission and support their return to Earth. SpaceDev is one of two companies selected by Boeing Space & Communications to participate in the Concept Study.