Commercial Destinations in Low Earth Orbit
NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program is supporting the development of commercially-owned and operated Low Earth Orbit destinations from which NASA, along with other customers, can purchase services and stimulate the growth of commercial activities in Low Earth Orbit. As commercial Low Earth Orbit destinations (CLDs) become available, NASA intends to implement an orderly transition from current International Space Station (ISS) operations to these new CLDs. Transition of Low Earth Orbit operations to the private sector will yield efficiencies in the long term, enabling NASA to shift resources towards other objectives. With the introduction of CLDs, NASA expects to realize efficiencies from the use of smaller, more modern and efficient platforms and a more commercial approach to meeting the Agency’s needs in Low Earth Orbit. In the longer term, the gradual emergence of additional customers for commercial Low Earth Orbit destinations will offer the opportunity for additional savings.
The extension of ISS operations to 2030 will continue to return benefits to the United States and to humanity as a whole while preparing for a successful transition of capabilities to one or more commercially-owned and -operated Low Earth Orbit destinations (CLDs). NASA is using a two-phase approach to support the development of commercial destinations and enable the agency to purchase services as one of many customers. In Phase 1, which began in 2020 and is currently ongoing, NASA is supporting three funded efforts via one contract with Axiom Space to develop a commercial destination at the International Space Station and two Space Act Agreements with Blue Origin and Starlab Space to develop commercial destinations that go directly into orbit. Additionally, NASA is supporting seven companies to advance low Earth orbit capabilities through unfunded Space Act Agreements under the Collaboration for Commercial Space Capabilities-2 initiative – three of these include development of additional destination concepts with Sierra Space, SpaceX, and Vast. The agency will soon enter Phase 2, during which the agency will procure services and certify one or more destinations. NASA plans for the Phase 2 service contract award(s) to be in the 2026 timeframe, with a Request for Proposals being issued in late 2025. Any U.S. company meeting the requirements within the RFP will be able to submit a bid on Phase 2, even if they did not receive a Phase 1 contract or agreement with NASA. Solicitations will be free and open competitions.
CLD Partner Organizations:
- Axiom Space
- Blue Origin
- Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
- Sierra Space Corporation
- SpaceX
- Special Aerospace Services
- Starlab Space
- ThinkOrbital Inc.
- Vast Space LLC
Learn More About Commercial Destinations
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NASA Sees Progress on Starlab Commercial Space Station Development
NASA Quiet Space Fan Research to Benefit Commercial Space Stations
NASA Supports Burst Test for Orbital Reef Commercial Space Station
NASA Shares Use Requirements with Commercial Destination Partners
NASA Shares Lessons of Human Systems Integration with Industry
NASA Shares Medical Expertise with New Space Station Partners
NASA Sees Progress on Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef Life Support System
NASA Adjusts Agreements to Benefit Commercial Station Development
NASA’s Commercial Partners Continue Progress on New Space Stations
NASA Partners Combine Efforts for Low Earth Orbit Commercial Station
NASA’s Commercial Partners Pass Milestones for New Space Stations
How NASA’s Work Led to Commercial Spaceflight Revolution
NASA’s Commercial Partners Move Needle for Space Station Destinations
NASA Seeks Input for Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations
NASA Seeks Feedback on Commercial Destination Certification
Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program People
Angela Hart
Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program Manager
Christy Hansen
Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program Deputy Manager
Mark Sonoda
Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program Acting Associate Program Manager
Hector Chavez
Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program Systems Integration Team Lead
