Companies express varying interest in NASA’s ISS commercialization plan

NASA’s announcement of a new low Earth orbit commercialization strategy has prompted varying degrees of interest from companies, but even the most ardent supporters caution that the “devil is in the details.”

U.S. Chamber Hosts Bill Gerstenmaier and Rick Leach on Future of ISS and Gateway

Commercial Opportunities Aboard ISS National Laboratory and Future Gateway
Monday, June 10, 2019

Please join the Procurement and Space Industry Council on Monday, June 10, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the U.S. Chamber of …

NASA releases ISS commercialization plan

NASA unveiled a multi-pronged effort June 7 to increase commercial use of the International Space Station, from changes in policy to making a docking port available for commercial modules.

LEO commercialization studies show wide range of markets and demand

Studies of commercialization of low Earth orbit performed by a dozen teams last year have left NASA with little consensus on the potential demand for commercial use of the International Space Station or follow-on facilities.

Op-ed | ISS doesn’t have to be an FFRDC; It has to be done right

Federally Funded Research and Development Centers have re-entered the space policy conversation once again, this time in connection to the International Space Station.

Companies encourage NASA to press ahead with LEO commercialization efforts

Companies interested in developing commercial space stations and related facilities in low Earth orbit are wondering if NASA’s support for such efforts havsbeen overshadowed by the agency’s rush back to the moon.

Falcon 9 launches Dragon cargo spacecraft to ISS

SpaceX launched a Dragon cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station early May 4 after a one-day delay caused by a droneship problem.

ISS power glitch delays Dragon launch

A power problem on the International Space Station has postponed the launch of a SpaceX cargo spacecraft by at least two days, pending an effort to fix the issue.

NASA moves ahead with cargo Dragon launch after Crew Dragon anomaly

NASA is moving ahead with plans to launch a cargo version of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station next week as the investigation into an explosion of a Crew Dragon spacecraft continues.

Two NASA astronauts to get extended ISS stays

Two NASA astronauts will get extended stays on the International Space Station, NASA announced April 17, a move intended to support research on long-duration spaceflight and address uncertainties in the availability of commercial crew vehicles.

Latest Cygnus mission to ISS includes new features

The next Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo mission to the International Space Station will demonstrate two new capabilities, one before launch and the other after the spacecraft departs the station.

NASA approves extension of Boeing commercial crew test flight

A day after Boeing confirmed delays in test flights of its commercial crew vehicle, NASA said that the company’s crewed test flight will get an extended stay at the station when it does fly.

NASA warns Indian anti-satellite test increased debris risk to ISS

In the sharpest rebuke to date by a U.S. government official, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine criticized India’s recent anti-satellite test April 1, saying it created debris that posed a threat to the International Space Station.

Spacesuit issue cancels first all-female spacewalk

A spacesuit sizing issue has prompted NASA to reshuffle assignments for a pair of upcoming spacewalks at the International Space Station, cancelling a first-ever all-woman spacewalk and in the process turning what had been an accidental public relations coup for the agency into a headache.

Op-ed | Commercializing Space: Before a commercial LEO market can flourish, the ISS must be retired

I’m a firm believer that the commercialization of space is absolutely essential for the growth of the space economy and achieving all of the goals we espouse for human activities in space.

Crew Dragon departs ISS and returns to Earth

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon departed from the International Space Station early March 8, heading to a splashdown that will mark the end of a successful test flight for the commercial crew program.