NASA Releases Draft Requirements for Private Space Stations
NASA has released a draft Request for Proposals outlining its expectations for companies aiming to build private space stations in low Earth orbit.
NASA this week issued a draft Request for Proposals (RFP), providing clarity on the agency's requirements for U.S. companies seeking to develop privately operated space stations in low Earth orbit.
The document is critical as NASA has set a target end date of 2030 for the International Space Station (ISS). While a two-year extension is possible, the timeline remains tight for constructing, testing, and launching a complex vehicle like a space station. Both NASA and Congress aim to prevent a gap in human orbital presence, creating urgency for the next steps.
Nearly five years ago, NASA awarded funding to three companies to develop space station concepts. Previously, the agency had also provided $140 million to Axiom Space. These agreements were intended as a prelude to phase two, where one or two companies would receive substantial funding for construction and launch. However, phase two has faced delays, partly due to congressional funding deliberations.