NASA has begun formal bidding for a project to build a private space station to replace the International Space Station (ISS). Under a policy of continuing crewed activity in low Earth orbit after 2030, NASA plans to encourage private-sector participation and provide transportation support for initial human spaceflight missions.

On Oct. 9 (local time), IT outlet Ars Technica reported that NASA released a request for proposals (RFP) for a private space station development project where astronauts will live and conduct research in low Earth orbit.

The notice is significant as it marks the start of a full-scale tender process to shift low Earth orbit operations after the ISS to the private sector. NASA set out plans in a 360-page document to continue crewed low Earth orbit activities for scientific research, technology development and astronaut training.

The deadline for bid submissions is Dec. 8. NASA plans to select at least 2 companies at this stage, with final results to be announced in April next year. Companies selected in phase 1 will receive at least $100 million in funding.

The project will expand in stages. In phase 2, which starts next year, NASA will support space station development and certification. In phase 3, it plans to buy at least 4 missions to send NASA astronauts to private space stations. The contract size is expected to reach billions of dollars.

A notable part of the tender is NASA support for crew transportation. In earlier discussions, NASA considered having private station operators provide services that include astronaut transportation, but the notice set out conditions aimed at reducing the burden on bidders.

Bidders do not need to submit a firm contract or letter of intent with Boeing or another transportation provider. The notice specifies that NASA may support transportation needed for the first 4 crewed service missions to private space stations. This is interpreted as an effort to share the burden so private station operators can focus on development, certification and establishing operating systems.

The support comes as the U.S. crewed space transportation system remains limited. SpaceX has said it plans to retire its Crew Dragon spacecraft as soon as possible if the ISS is retired in 2030 or 2032. It has also not proposed selling transportation seats to private space station operators.

NASA recently provided an additional $359 million to support Boeing's Starliner crew certification work. The tender notice also included transport cost estimates. NASA estimated that, as of 2030, a crewed flight for 4 people would cost $325 million and a cargo flight would cost $300 million.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (재러드 아이작먼) stressed his determination to continue crewed activities in low Earth orbit. He said a low Earth orbit hub is needed for research, technology development and crew training, as well as to prepare for exploration of the moon and Mars. He said private space stations could provide these capabilities, creating new opportunities for the U.S. space industry while allowing NASA to focus resources on more difficult exploration missions.

Axiom Space, Voyager Space and Vast Space are being mentioned as leading candidates to bid. Blue Origin was selected in an earlier funding stage, but it was reported to be unclear how much it will participate in this program. SpaceX is also widely seen as unlikely to take part in this tender for now.

Candidate companies welcomed the release of the notice. Marshall Smith (마셜 스미스), chief executive of Voyager Space's Starlab space station project, described publication of the RFP as an important milestone. He said NASA reflected views from industry and government, and claimed Starlab has a business plan and technical solutions suitable for the next-generation U.S. space station.

Axiom Space also said it is reviewing the final notice and preparing the next steps. The company said it aims to prove capabilities that align with NASA's low Earth orbit plans, based on its experience conducting crewed spaceflight missions and developing orbital hardware.

The key to the project is to create a foundation to continue crewed low Earth orbit activity without interruption after the ISS. In future competition, key evaluation criteria are expected to include not only space station design but also how realistically bidders present transportation systems, adherence to certification schedules and the ability to carry out actual NASA missions.