Commercial Space Stations
NASA is committed to ensuring the seamless transition from the International Space Station to new commercial space stations in low Earth orbit as soon as possible and is using funded Space Act Agreements to move this effort quickly through design and demonstration and provide industry the flexibility needed to support this commercial effort. Future commercial space stations will ensure mission continuity, affordability, and national alignment, as well as to reduce the potential for a gap of a crew capable platform in low Earth orbit.
Envisioning the Next Generation of Human Presence in Low Earth Orbit
The International Space Station, now in its third decade of operations, has been vital for microgravity research, providing insights and technology beneficial to life on Earth. As the space station nears the end of its operational life, NASA plans to transition to a new low Earth orbit operations model to continue leveraging microgravity benefits.
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As the space station nears the end of operational life in 2030, NASA plans to transition to new low Earth orbit commercial space stations to continue leveraging the unique environment and microgravity research benefits. Through commercial partnerships, NASA aims to maintain its leadership in microgravity research and ensure access to low Earth orbit for the benefit of humanity.
NASA’s commercial strategy for low Earth orbit will provide the government with reliable and safe services at a lower cost, enabling the agency to focus on the next step in humanity’s exploration of the solar system while also continuing to use low Earth orbit as an ideal environment for training and proving ground for deep space and missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA is using a phased approach to support the design, development, and demonstration of commercially owned and operated space stations in low Earth orbit from which NASA, along with other customers can purchase services and stimulate the growth of commercial activities in a microgravity marketplace.
Phase 1
In Phase 1, NASA is supporting the design and development of multiple commercial space stations and other commercial capabilities through funded and unfunded agreements.
In 2020, NASA awarded Axiom Space a contract to provide at least one habitable commercial module to be attached to the International Space Station with the goal of becoming a free-flying commercial space station in low Earth orbit prior to retirement of the orbiting laboratory.
In 2021, NASA signed Space Act Agreements with Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and Starlab to develop designs of commercial space stations. Northrop Grumman withdrew from its Space Act Agreement and joined efforts to support Starlab Space. Blue Origin and Starlab Space are developing commercial space stations that go directly into low Earth orbit.
Space Act Agreements are designed to advance commercial space-related efforts through NASA contributions of technical expertise, assessments, lessons learned, technologies, and data. NASA provides technical and financial assistance to commercial entities as they develop and mature solutions in fulfilling missions under the expectation that these solutions allow NASA to purchase services in the future for agency missions.
In 2023, NASA selected Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, Sierra Space, SpaceX, Special Aerospace Services, ThinkOrbital, and Vast to partner with the agency through the second Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities initiative to advance commercial space-related efforts through NASA contributions of technical expertise, assessments, lessons learned, technologies, and data. Structured sharing of NASA expertise demands minimal government resources but fosters development of capabilities that can be crucial to development of a robust low Earth orbit economy.
Phase 2
In Phase 2, NASA intends to support industry’s design and demonstration of commercial stations through multiple funded Space Act Agreements.
NASA will issue an Announcement for Proposal in late 2025 and plans to award multiple Phase 2 funded Space Act Agreements in early 2026.
Using Space Act Agreements better aligns with the development of commercial platforms, providing greater flexibility for industry to develop designs and offer capabilities that synchronize with their business case, schedules and the agency’s needs.
The Phase 2 funded Space Act Agreements, selected through a full and open competition, will include a three-year base period with optional milestones up to five years, and payments via completed milestones. At a minimum, the milestones will include critical design review readiness and an initial in-space crewed demonstration.
Read NASA’s Directive on Revised Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations Phase 2 Acquisition Strategy.
Commercial Destinations Development and Demonstration Objectives (C3DO)
Space Act Agreement (SAA)
Phase 3
NASA’s strategy for commercial stations will culminate in a follow-on Phase 3 using Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contract(s) to purchase station services through a full and open competition. This final phase will also provide formal design acceptance and certification, ensuring NASA safety requirements are met. Additional details on Phase 3 are still being formulated and will be provided once available.
Transition Timeline
2020
NASA awarded Axiom Space a contract to provide at least one habitable commercial module to be attached to the International Space Station.
2021
NASA signed Space Act Agreements with Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and Starlab to develop designs of commercial space stations.
2023
NASA selected Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, Sierra Space, SpaceX, Special Aerospace Services, ThinkOrbital, and Vast to partner with the agency through the second Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities initiative.
NASA and Northrop Grumman agree to withdraw from a Space Act Agreement, and the company joins efforts to support the Starlab commercial space station.
2024
NASA modified agreements with two commercial space station partners as a result of Northrop Grumman joining efforts to support the Starlab commercial space station.
As part of the agency’s efforts to enable broader use of space, NASA released its final goals and objectives for low Earth orbit, defining the long-term approach toward advancing microgravity science, technology, and exploration for the benefit of all, known as the Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy. The strategy will guide the agency toward the next generation of continuous human presence in orbit, enable greater economic growth, and maintain international partnerships.
2025
NASA will issue a Phase 2 Announcement for Proposal.
2026
NASA plans to award multiple Phase 2 funded Space Act Agreements.
