LEO commercialization
NASA requests proposals for two ISS private astronaut missions
NASA is requesting proposals for two private astronaut missions to the International Space Station in 2023 and 2024, enforcing a requirement such missions be commanded by former NASA astronauts.
NASA completes agreement with Axiom Space for second private astronaut mission
NASA has completed an agreement for a second private astronaut mission to the International Space Station with Axiom Space, the only company that bid on the opportunity.
Orbital Reef passes NASA review
A proposed commercial space station has passed a key early NASA review, allowing it to move into the next phase of its design.
NASA revises requirements for ISS private astronaut missions
NASA is changing rules for future private astronaut missions to the International Space Station, including requiring such missions to be led by a former NASA astronaut.
NASA safety advisers warn ISS transition plans on “precarious trajectory”
NASA’s safety advisers warn that the agency’s efforts to transition from the International Space Station to commercial space stations without a gap are on a “precarious trajectory.”
NASA division proposing program to send scientists to ISS
A NASA science division is seeking funding for a program that could fly scientists to the International Space Station on private missions to conduct research that could then be handed off to NASA astronauts.
Pace of work put strain on private astronaut mission to ISS
The private astronauts who spent two weeks on the International Space Station in April said they tried to pack too much into their schedules while on the station, putting a strain on both themselves and the professional astronauts there.
SpaceX launches commercial mission to ISS
SpaceX launched a Crew Dragon spacecraft April 8 carrying four commercial astronauts to the International Space Station for Axiom Space.
Private astronaut mission cleared for launch
The first commercial mission by an American spacecraft to the International Space Station is ready for launch as a pathfinder for a new era of commercial orbital human spaceflight.
Additional funding unlikely to accelerate commercial space station projects
WASHINGTON — Companies developing commercial space station concepts for NASA say they’re working as fast as they can and that additional funding would not speed up their work significantly amid concerns about the long-term viability of the Int…
Sierra Space to work with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on commercial space station technologies
Sierra Space and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) have signed an agreement to study collaboration on technologies to support a planned commercial space station.
China to open space station to commercial activity
China is planning to open its space station to commercial missions and activities, according to a senior human spaceflight program official.
ISS transition to commercial stations poses challenges for partners
NASA’s plans to shift from the International Space Station to commercial space stations may force one key partner to rethink how it cooperates in low Earth orbit.
NASA outlines cost savings from ISS transition
NASA expects that retiring the International Space Station in favor of leasing capacity on commercial space stations will ultimately save the agency up to $1.8 billion per year.
Relativity and SpaceX bid on NASA commercial space station competition
Launch companies Relativity Space and SpaceX were among the companies that submitted proposals last year to NASA for initial development of commercial space stations.
Bigelow Aerospace transfers BEAM space station module to NASA
NASA has hired a new company to provide engineering support for an inflatable module on the International Space Station originally built and managed by Bigelow Aerospace.
NASA selects Axiom for second private astronaut mission to ISS
NASA selected Axiom Space to perform a second commercial flight to the U.S. segment of the International Space Station on a Crew Dragon spacecraft.
NASA awards funding to three commercial space station concepts
NASA issued awards Dec. 2 valued at more than $400 million to three groups of companies to advance development of commercial space stations, keeping those efforts on track to succeed the International Space Station by the end of the decade despite skepticism from the agency’s inspector general.
NASA inspector general warns of space station gap
Concerns about the long-term viability of some existing International Space Station modules and the potential of delays in development of commercial space stations heighten the risk of a gap in low Earth orbit destinations, a new report warns.
Axiom Space outlines research plans for first ISS mission
The three private astronauts on Axiom Space’s first mission to the International Space Station next February will perform more than 100 hours of research on their flight as the company works to advance plans for its own space station.
