LEO commercialization
First Dream Chaser mission slips to 2022
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) says the first flight of its Dream Chaser spacecraft to the International Space Station is now planned for 2022 after development delays caused by the pandemic.
Axiom Space finalizing first commercial ISS mission
Axiom Space hopes to soon finalize its first commercial mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for late 2021, as it continues development of a commercial module for the station.
NASA working with cosmetics company on space station commercialization
NASA is taking the next small step in its efforts to promote commercialization of low Earth orbit by flying a cosmetics company’s product to the International Space Station, a project that has prompted questions from one senator.
Blue Origin considers entering commercial space station business
Commercial spaceflight company Blue Origin is considering development of commercial space stations, with NASA as a potential early customer.
Reality show latest sign of growing commercial interest in ISS
As a new venture proposes to send the winner of a reality show to the International Space Station, some investors see a stronger business case for a future commercial space station.
Nanoracks finalizing space station airlock and new funding round
As Nanoracks puts the finishing touches on an airlock that will be installed on the International Space Station later this year, the company is finalizing a new funding round.
Gerstenmaier warns against ending space station program prematurely
The former head of NASA’s human spaceflight program, now working as a consultant to SpaceX, said he welcomes greater commercial activity in low Earth orbit but cautioned against ending the International Space Station prematurely.
NASA puts solicitation for commercial free-flyer station on hold
While NASA seeks to eventually transition from the International Space Station to commercial stations in low Earth orbit, the agency is putting on hold a solicitation to support development of such a free-flying platform.
White House memo adds low Earth orbit research as R&D priority
A White House document has included low Earth orbit research “on new platforms” as a research and development priority for the administration as NASA struggles to win congressional support for its LEO commercialization initiative.
Virgin Galactic to work with NASA on private orbital spaceflight experiences
Virgin Galactic announced June 22 it has signed an agreement with NASA to support development of a program to train and potentially procure rides for private individuals seeking to fly to the International Space Station.
NASA adjusting its strategy for LEO commercialization
Less than a year after rolling out a broad strategy for supporting commercial activity in low Earth orbit, NASA is working to revise that strategy while restructuring its management of commercial initiatives.
Bigelow Aerospace sets sights on free-flying station after passing on ISS commercial module
The founder of Bigelow Aerospace says his company decided not to pursue a NASA competition for a commercial International Space Station module because of funding concerns, but remains interested in a separate effort for supporting a free-flying facility in low Earth orbit.
NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station module
NASA has selected a startup led by a former International Space Station program manager to develop a commercial module for the station.
NASA proposes to buy seat on short-duration commercial ISS flight
NASA announced Nov. 26 that it is interested in buying a seat on a future commercial mission to the International Space Station, the latest move in the agency’s broader low Earth orbit commercialization efforts.
NASA looks to support development of commercial space stations
As NASA releases a draft solicitation to support development of commercial space stations, a former agency administrator is calling on industry to step up its investment in and use of such facilities.
