NASA opens final competition for commercial space stations

NASA is seeking proposals from companies to develop and operate commercial destinations in low Earth orbit, with submissions due Dec. 8, 2026. The agency expects to make contract awards in spring 2027. The final competition moves the procurement beyond a draft request for proposals issued in July.

The solicitation covers designing, building, testing, certifying and operating destinations, as well as transportation services for human spaceflight. NASA says the effort is intended to support a sustained human presence in low Earth orbit after the International Space Station retires. The competition is an early step toward that goal, not a selection of station developers.

Two stages of development and selection

NASA intends to make multiple firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract awards for early development. The agency plans to select two or more contractors for that stage. The contract structure allows NASA to place orders for work under the agreements; it does not itself identify which companies will advance or establish the total cost of the competition.

Later work would be awarded through a separate competitive task order. NASA says that stage would cover final design, testing, evaluation, certification and services, and could involve one or more contractors. Companies therefore face an initial competition for early development, followed by another selection for the later work.

The final solicitation also does not guarantee that a commercial destination will be ready when the ISS retires. NASA has not announced which companies will submit proposals or receive awards, or set an operating date for a station through this competition.

Transportation and estimated mission costs

Ars Technica reports that bidders do not have to include a signed contract or letter of intent from a transportation provider in their proposals. It also reports that NASA plans to furnish transportation for its first four service missions to the commercial destinations. That provision addresses transportation for those early NASA missions; the solicitation still seeks transportation services as part of the broader work.

For missions in 2030, the solicitation includes NASA estimates of $325 million for a four-seat crew flight and $300 million for a cargo flight, according to Ars Technica. Those are estimates for individual missions, not fixed prices, awarded contracts or the total cost of developing and operating a destination. Ars Technica also reports that Phase 1 winners are guaranteed at least $100 million. That reported minimum is not the overall value of the procurement.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency wants credible plans from companies prepared to invest in destinations that can serve NASA while developing other customers and markets. He said the economics ultimately have to work. Ars Technica reported that Axiom Space, Voyager Space and Vast had expressed interest in the competition or welcomed the final request; those statements do not establish that any of them has submitted a proposal.

NASA said it issued requests for information in March 2026, released a draft request for proposals in July and conducted industry engagement before issuing the final solicitation on Oct. 9. Proposals are due Dec. 8, 2026, and NASA expects awards in spring 2027. Ars Technica reports that NASA intends a final decision in April 2027.