NASA sure seems to be asking an awful lot of private space stations
Summary
NASA released a draft document explaining what it wants from U.S. companies building private space stations in low-Earth orbit. The International Space Station is expected to retire by 2030, so NASA is working to support private companies to keep humans in space without gaps.Key Facts
- NASA plans the International Space Station to end operations around 2030, possibly extending two more years.
- NASA wants private U.S. companies to build and operate new space stations to continue human presence in orbit.
- A draft Request for Proposals (RFP) was recently released to clarify NASA’s expectations for these private stations.
- NASA has funded several companies (Axiom Space, Vast Space, Voyager, Blue Origin, and possibly SpaceX) to develop concepts and plans.
- NASA considered building a “core module” for the new stations to dock to but dropped that idea due to industry opposition.
- Private companies feel relief that NASA won’t impose the core module but are concerned about lost time and financial challenges.
- NASA’s safety rules and requirements will heavily influence the final station designs and funding plans.
- NASA is one customer among many in a commercial marketplace for space stations.
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