NASA asks US firms to design and run commercial space stations

NASA is asking U.S. industry to design, build, and run the next generation of private space stations in low Earth orbit. In a Friday release, the agency issued its final Request for Proposals (RFP) for Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations, signaling a major step toward replacing the International Space Station (ISS) with privately operated habitats by the end of the decade.

NASA says it wants two or more contractors to develop and certify commercial space stations and provide end-to-end services, including crew transportation, for NASA astronauts and other customers. Proposals are due December 8, 2026, with awards expected in spring 2027. The effort is part of a shift to maintain a strong American presence in LEO while redirecting NASA resources toward exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.

“We will continue to need a place to conduct research, develop technologies, train crews, and prepare for missions to the Moon and Mars,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said. “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 plans a multi-phase process: Phase 1 will fund design, development plans, and certification work; Phase 2 will focus on development and certification of the stations themselves; Phase 3 will involve purchasing at least four crewed missions to these destinations. In this first round, the agency hopes to fund two or more contractors that can demonstrate credible plans and strong technical execution.

Several established players have already teased interest in commercial LEO habitats, including Axiom Space, Voyager Space, and Vast Space. Blue Origin and SpaceX are mentioned in industry chatter, but SpaceX’s participation is not expected in this round, and Blue Origin’s commitment remains a question. NASA says it will choose multiple awardees through an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract approach, with firm-fixed-price tasks as work progresses.

For now, the bidding is about laying the groundwork for a new orbit economy where private companies operate habitats, supply chains, and potentially end-to-end services for researchers, governments, and commercial customers. The government’s goal is to keep a strong American presence in LEO well after the current station retires, while enabling NASA to focus more on ambitious missions beyond Earth orbit.