NASA has taken a significant step toward handing off life in low Earth orbit to the private sector, releasing a draft Request for Proposals that invites American companies to share feedback on the second phase of its commercial space stations initiative.
The move is designed to help NASA map out a smooth transition away from the International Space Station, ensuring that scientific research and human spaceflight activities in low Earth orbit continue without interruption once the ISS is retired.
By going directly to industry for input before finalizing its plans, the agency signals that it wants commercial partners to help shape — not just respond to — the requirements of whatever comes next in orbit.
Information in this article comes from NASA.
