By 
July 9th, 2026
Image credit: NASA
Earlier this week, NASA released a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking feedback from American companies on evolving to commercial space stations.
The RFP’s purpose is aimed at ensuring a seamless transition of activities in low Earth orbit from the International Space Station.
Commercial marketplace
“NASA’s review reflects what we’ve been hearing from industry throughout this process. Industry believes it can meet the timelines and that a viable commercial marketplace exists where NASA is one customer among many,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
“We’re focused on supporting those efforts,” Isaacman said in a statement, “enabling the capabilities that make this transition possible, and doing all we can to ensure the United States maintains a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.”
Image credit: NASA
End-to-end services
Specifically, the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Contract will acquire services for a commercially owned and operated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Destination that can provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective end-to-end services to succeed the International Space Station (ISS).
Doing so, the RFP explains, will ensure NASA has a sustained human presence in LEO for crew members to perform science and exploration.
The response date by companies is July 24, 2026.
For RFP details, go to:
https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/19a8a55c066441ef891e33bac770dd9d/view
Posted in Space News
