NASA opens final call for commercial space station proposals

NASA released its final request for commercial space station proposals on October 9, moving from an industry-feedback draft to a solicitation. Its announcement sets December 8, 2026, as the proposal deadline and expects contract awards in spring 2027.

The agency seeks destinations that can supply both orbital accommodation and transportation for human spaceflight. NASA’s release covers design, construction, testing, certification and operation; it does not announce an award to any contractor.

NASA published the earlier draft on July 6 and requested comments by July 27. That document offered companies a chance to review the acquisition approach before the final competition. The October release follows that consultation, rather than announcing that a commercial station is ready to host crews.

The contracting structure was already outlined in NASA’s July announcement: multiple fixed-price contracts with work assigned through individual orders. NASA planned to carry at least two contractors through early development, then compete an order covering final design, testing, evaluation, certification and services from one or more contractors. The October announcement retains that approach.

NASA links the procurement to maintaining its presence in low Earth orbit after the International Space Station retires. The next dated step in this competition is the December 8 proposal deadline; spring 2027 remains the agency’s expected award period.