NASA released a final Request for Proposals on Friday for commercial low Earth orbit stations to succeed the retiring International Space Station, setting a December 8 deadline for bids and targeting contract awards by spring 2027.
NASA Sets Proposal Deadlines and Explicit Mission Cost Estimates
Under the newly released solicitation, prospective station operators have until Tuesday, Dec. 8, to submit their bids, with contract awards expected in spring 2027. NASA plans to award multiple firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts spanning development, certification, and operational services.
Building on the agency’s Ignition event earlier in the year, NASA engaged with private industry through Requests for Information in March, a draft Request for Proposals in July, and subsequent industry day and one-on-one meetings.
For the year 2030, NASA estimates a four-seat crew flight will cost $325 million, while a cargo mission will cost $300 million. The agency intends to purchase at least four astronaut missions to private facilities under the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations program.
Industry Reacts to the Long-Awaited Commercial LEO Destinations Solicitation
Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Program, told reporters that the agency processed and addressed comments to ensure clarity for industry after aerospace executives welcomed the release of the 360-page proposal following months of industry engagement, draft postings, and feedback sessions managed by the agency.
“The release of the RFP is an important milestone. We appreciate that NASA has incorporated both industry and government feedback. We believe Starlab has the strongest business plan and technical solution to be America’s next space station and we look forward to competing.”
Marshall Smith, chief executive of Voyager’s Starlab space station, via Arstechnica
Blue Origin, Voyager Technologies, and Axiom Space are expected to bid for the solicitation, whereas SpaceX is considered unlikely to submit an application at this time. Randy Lillard, Blue Origin program manager for its Orbital Reef contender, noted that the company has spent the last three years operating on an unfunded Space Act Agreement with NASA to build hardware for a crew vehicle.
Procurement Structure and the Challenge of Commercial Economics
Winners of the initial phase will be guaranteed at least $100 million as NASA intends to select at least two contractors through early development before conducting a competitive task order for final design, testing, evaluation, and certification.
“In alignment with the President’s National Space Policy, NASA is committed to maintaining a sustained American presence in low Earth orbit long after the International Space Station retires. 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.”
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, via NASA
The opportunity is significant, but the economics ultimately have to work,
Isaacman said, stressing the need for credible operational plans backed by companies prepared to attract non-government customers and establish sustainable private markets in low Earth orbit.
