NASA opens door to private space stations as ISS horizon narrows

NASA released a draft RFP outlining requirements and funding for privately operated space stations in low-Earth orbit, aiming to fill the post-ISS gap by around 2030. Industry players such as Axiom Space, Vast, Voyager, Blue Origin, and SpaceX welcome the clarity but express concern about the heavy requirements (thousands of items), funding levels (possibly up to $1.5 billion over five years), and how many winners will win contracts. The final RFP could arrive by September with bids next spring, signaling a race to establish a commercial space station market with NASA as a key customer.