Congress extends ISS and tells NASA to get moving on private space stations
Ars Technica • • nation
Key Points:
- Sen. Ted Cruz is pushing NASA to accelerate the release of a request for proposals (RFP) to develop commercial space stations as replacements for the International Space Station (ISS), with a new NASA Authorization bill mandating specific deadlines for requirements release, RFP issuance, and contract awards.
- The bill requires NASA to publicly release commercial space station requirements within 60 days, issue the final RFP within 90 days, and award contracts to at least two providers within 180 days of the law's passage, aiming to ensure continuity of human presence in low-Earth orbit.
- Several private companies, including Axiom Space, Blue Origin, Vast, and Voyager, are finalizing space station designs but seek clarity from NASA on operational requirements to secure
