NASA Opens Competition for ISS Successor With Final Station Proposal Call

NASA on Friday released its final request for proposals asking the US commercial space industry to develop private space stations that could succeed the International Space Station as early as 2030. The 360-page solicitation finally answers questions about the capabilities the agency is seeking, and sets a December 8 deadline for industry responses.

The release caps years of design and development work by private companies eager to learn NASA's requirements. In a cover letter accompanying the documents, NASA stated its goal: "This will ensure NASA has a sustained human presence in LEO for crew members to perform science and exploration." The agency plans to select "two or more" contractors in this phase and intends to make a final decision in April.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman underscored the agency's commitment to low-Earth orbit. "We've made it clear that NASA will never give up its presence in low Earth orbit," he 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. Commercial space stations may provide that capability while creating new opportunities for American industry and allowing NASA to concentrate more of our resources on the near-impossible missions ahead."

Phase 1 winners are guaranteed at least $100 million, with future phases worth billions. NASA said Phase 2 of its Commercial LEO Destinations competition, beginning next year, will fund development and certification of space stations. Phase 3 will include the purchase of at least four missions to carry NASA astronauts to the private stations. Expected bidders include Axiom Space, Voyager Space, and Vast Space. Blue Origin won an earlier round of funding, though questions remain about its commitment, and SpaceX appears unlikely to bid for now.

A closely watched element was crewed transportation. NASA had previously suggested leaving transportation to contractors, a complication given that SpaceX plans to retire Crew Dragon around the time the ISS is deorbited in 2030 or 2032 and has not offered seats to private operators. Two weeks ago, NASA provided an additional $359 million to support Boeing's certification of its Starliner spacecraft. In the new RFP, NASA goes further, allowing contractors to bid without proof of a signed transportation contract or even a letter of intent, and offering to furnish transportation for the first four NASA service missions, likely by brokering deals with Boeing. The documents assign explicit prices for 2030, estimating a four-seat crew flight at $325 million and a cargo flight at $300 million.

For the named figures, the significance is clear. Isaacman framed the release as securing a continued US presence in orbit while freeing the agency for deep-space missions. Marshall Smith, chief executive of Voyager's Starlab station, called the release "an important milestone" and said NASA had incorporated industry and government feedback. An Axiom Space spokesperson said the team was "actively reviewing the RFP" and "energized for the next steps." A Vast spokesperson said the company is "in final integration with Haven-1 and ready to keep building towards a multi-module station capable of supporting a continuous human presence."

Industry responses are due to NASA on December 8. The agency plans to select two or more contractors in this phase and make its final decision in April, with Phase 2 funding for development and certification beginning next year.