NASA has launched a new phase of its plan to maintain a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit after the end of the International Space Station, publishing a request for proposals from the commercial space sector to develop private stations that could begin operating as early as 2030. Companies must submit proposals by December 8, while the agency plans to select two or more companies in this phase and make a final decision in April.
The 360-page request includes long-awaited requirements for companies that have spent years developing concepts for commercial orbital stations. NASA believes these facilities will provide locations for conducting research, developing technologies, training crews, and preparing for missions to the Moon and Mars, while creating new commercial opportunities for U.S. companies.
A multistage competition
The competition is expected to include Axiom Space, Voyager Space, and Vast Space. Blue Origin received funding in an earlier round, but the extent of its commitment to the program remains in question according to the source material, while SpaceX does not appear ready to participate at this time. Winners in the first phase will receive at least $100 million.
The value of the contracts will expand to billions of dollars in later phases. In addition to funding station development and certification in the second phase, NASA intends in the third phase to purchase at least four missions to transport its astronauts to the private stations.
Transportation to the stations is a crucial part of the plan
NASA has eased one of the biggest obstacles facing companies entering the competition. Proposals do not need to prove the existence of a signed contract with Boeing or any other transportation provider, or even provide a letter of intent. The agency is also offering to provide transportation for the first four service missions it carries out for the private stations, which could mean helping arrange agreements with Boeing.
This flexibility comes amid limited U.S. transportation options. SpaceX has said it intends to retire the Crew Dragon spacecraft as soon as possible, most likely when the International Space Station is deorbited in 2030 or 2032. The company, which currently operates the only U.S. spacecraft in service for this type of transportation, has not offered to sell seats to private station operators. Meanwhile, two weeks ago NASA awarded Boeing an additional $359 million to support efforts to certify the Starliner spacecraft for crewed flights to low Earth orbit.
What changes in practice?
For the first time, the request sets a clear estimated price for the transportation services this system will need: $325 million for a flight carrying four people and $300 million for a cargo flight in 2030. By announcing its willingness to provide the initial flights, NASA is shifting a substantial portion of the commercial risk away from companies that must simultaneously design, build, test, and operate orbital stations.
Voyager Space, Axiom Space, and Vast Space welcomed the announcement, but their initial responses amounted only to confirmations of their readiness to compete. Voyager said that Starlab represents a strong commercial and technical solution, while Vast indicated that it is approaching the final integration phase for the Haven-1 station and is working to build a multi-module station capable of supporting a continuous human presence.
The request alone does not determine whether any company can operate a crewed station by the target date, and the plan’s success will remain tied to the certification and availability of transportation vehicles. However, the document makes clear that NASA does not view commercial stations merely as a funding alternative, but as part of an operational infrastructure it intends to use after the International Space Station.