NASA on Friday released a long-awaited request for proposals to the US commercial space industry, asking companies to build private space stations that could replace the International Space Station as early as 2030.
The 360-page solicitation is the formal start of the "Commercial LEO Destinations" competition. In a cover letter, the agency framed the plan bluntly: "This will ensure NASA has a sustained human presence in LEO for crew members to perform science and exploration." Industry responses are due back on December 8. NASA plans to select "two or more" contractors in this phase, aiming for a final decision in April.
"We've made it clear that NASA will never give up its presence in low Earth orbit," Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement. "We will continue to need a place to conduct research, develop technologies, train crews, and prepare for missions to the Moon and Mars."
Phase 1 winners are guaranteed at least $100 million. Later phases will be far larger: Phase 2, beginning next year, covers development and certification of stations, and Phase 3 will buy at least four NASA crew missions to the private outposts.
The most closely watched element was crew transportation. NASA had previously suggested contractors might have to sell an end-to-end service — a problem, since SpaceX plans to retire Crew Dragon around the time the ISS is deorbited in the 2030s, and has not offered to sell seats to private station operators. The agency recently gave Boeing an extra $359 million to certify Starliner.
In the new RFP, NASA softens the requirement: bidders need not show a signed transportation contract or even a letter of intent, and NASA offers to "furnish" transport for the first four service missions. It also assigns explicit prices — a four-seat crew flight in 2030 estimated at $325 million, and a cargo flight at $300 million.
Axiom Space, Voyager Space and Vast Space are expected to bid; Blue Origin won earlier funding but its commitment is uncertain; SpaceX is not expected to bid for now. "The release of the RFP is an important milestone," said Marshall Smith, chief executive of Voyager's Starlab station. Axiom said it was reviewing the document and was "energized for the next steps."
