This is problematic because SpaceX has announced plans to retire the Crew Dragon spacecraft as soon as possible, and almost certainly when the International Space Station is de-orbited in 2030 or 2032. SpaceX, which has the only operational U.S. vehicle for such transport, has not offered to sell seats to private space station operators. That led NASA two weeks ago to provide an additional $359 million to support Boeing’s continued effort to certify its Starliner spacecraft for crewed missions to low Earth orbit.
But in the new request for proposals (RFP), the space agency goes further in its support for future space station operators. As part of their bids, contractors do not need to provide proof of a signed contract with Boeing (or other transportation provider), or even a letter of intent. NASA is even offering to “provide” transportation for NASA’s first four service missions to private stations, which likely means it will help broker deals between private companies and Boeing.
Notably, in the new documents, NASA puts an explicit price tag on crew and cargo missions. For 2030, he estimates that a four-seat crewed flight will cost $325 million and a cargo flight $300 million. By offering to provide these first flights, NASA is relieving a significant burden on private space station providers, who are already undertaking a difficult task of building, testing and piloting orbital space stations.
Initial reactions from the industry
Potential bidders were still reviewing the lengthy proposal Friday afternoon, but several offered their first thoughts on NASA’s new documents.
“Publishing the RFP is an important milestone,” said Marshall Smith, general manager of Voyager’s Starlab space station. “We appreciate that NASA has incorporated industry and government feedback. We believe Starlab has the strongest business plan and technical solution to become America’s next space station and we look forward to competing.”
Axiom Space said it also welcomed the publication of the final tender.
“Our team is currently actively reviewing the RFP and is excited for the next steps in the process,” said an Axiom Space spokesperson. “With years of experience executing human spaceflight missions and developing orbital hardware, we are confident that the proposal we are submitting to NASA will demonstrate that Axiom Space is the clear choice to achieve NASA’s goals in low Earth orbit.”
Gn bussni
