LEO commercialization
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.
Nanoracks hires new CEO
Commercial space station company Nanoracks has hired a new chief executive as its co-founder and longtime head moves to a new position as its parent company.
NASA, Space Force see growing opportunities to use commercial space services
NASA’s chief economist Alexander MacDonald said aggressive competition for space agency contracts is “one of the most exciting things that we're seeing.”
Blue Origin and Sierra Space announce plans for commercial space station
An industry group led by Blue Origin and Sierra Space, and including several other companies and organizations, announced plans Oct. 25 to cooperate on the development of a commercial space station.
Nanoracks and Lockheed Martin partner on commercial space station project
Nanoracks, its majority owner Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin, will collaborate on the development of a commercial space station as others in industry warn of a potential space station gap.
Senate appropriators direct NASA to select second Artemis lunar lander
Senate appropriators want NASA to select a second company for its program to develop crewed lunar landers, but provided the agency with only a small increase in funding to support that.
NASA urged to avoid space station gap
NASA needs to ensure that commercial space stations are ready before the International Space Station is retired to avoid a “space station gap” with geopolitical consequences, industry officials and other advisers warn.
