U.S. · News
NASA Issues Final Call for Commercial Space Station Proposals as ISS Retirement Nears
Proposals are due Dec. 8, with awards expected in spring 2027, as the agency plans for a U.S. presence in low Earth orbit after the station.
Published
Event date: Request for Proposals released Oct. 9, 2026
NASA on Friday, Oct. 9, released its final Request for Proposals inviting industry to submit plans for the next generation of commercial space stations, the agency announced. Proposals are due Tuesday, Dec. 8, and NASA expects to make contract awards in spring 2027.
"NASA is committed to maintaining a sustained American presence in low Earth orbit long after the International Space Station retires," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in the announcement.
How the process got here
NASA published two Requests for Information in March on low Earth orbit destinations and transportation, then a draft Request for Proposals in July, followed by an industry day and one-on-one meetings with interested companies, according to the agency.
"The opportunity is significant, but the economics ultimately have to work," Isaacman said. "We want to see credible plans, strong technical execution, and companies prepared to invest in destinations that can serve NASA while developing additional customers and markets of their own."
The solicitation covers companies interested in designing, building, testing, certifying and operating commercial low Earth orbit destinations.
Sources
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- NASA — NASA seeks U.S. industry plans for commercial space stations (Oct. 9, 2026) · checked October 2, 2026