NASA released a 360-page request for proposals on Friday inviting the commercial space industry to develop private orbital stations, Ars Technica reported. The planned outposts will succeed the International Space Station in low-Earth orbit as early as 2030.
Bidders have until December 8 to submit proposals. The agency plans to select two or more contractors in April, guaranteeing at least $100 million to each Phase 1 winner. NASA stated that Phase 2 will kick off next year to fund station development and certification, followed by Phase 3 purchases of at least four astronaut missions.
Agency Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that NASA will not abandon low-Earth orbit, noting the need to train crews, run research, and prepare for missions to the Moon and Mars. To lower operational hurdles, NASA removed earlier requirements that forced bidders to supply their own crew transportation contracts or letters of intent.
Federal officials instead offered to furnish transportation for the first four agency missions to the commercial stations. In the solicitation documents, NASA estimated a four-seat crew flight will cost $325 million in 2030, while a cargo flight will cost $300 million. Two weeks before the solicitation, NASA awarded an additional $359 million to Boeing to support Starliner crew certification efforts.
Prospective bidders are already preparing submissions, though SpaceX appears unlikely to bid and questions remain about Blue Origin's commitment. Axiom Space, Voyager Space, and Vast Space confirmed their participation. Marshall Smith, chief executive of Voyager’s Starlab project, welcomed the release, while Vast stated it is currently in final integration for its Haven-1 module.
