The draft Phase 2 announcement for partnership proposals, unveiled late last week, seeks feedback from companies already engaged with the US space agency by 12 September (US time). NASA will also host an industry briefing on 8 September to outline the expectations and key requirements of the program.
The initiative comes as NASA prepares for the planned retirement of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030, with acting administrator Sean Duffy emphasising the importance of maintaining a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit.
“NASA has led in low-Earth orbit for 25 years and counting. Now, as we prepare for deorbiting the International Space Station in 2030, we’re calling on our commercial space partners to maintain this historic human presence,” Duffy said.
The agency’s Phase 2 program will provide financial support to selected companies through multiple Space Act Agreements, helping them design, test and demonstrate new orbital platforms. The milestones will include a crewed demonstration mission with at least four astronauts living on a commercial station for 30 days. Agreements could run for up to five years.
Angela Hart, who manages the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, said the groundwork laid under earlier contracts had set the stage for success. “By leveraging these agreements, we provide additional flexibility to our commercial partners to define the best path forward to provide NASA a safe and affordable crewed demonstration,” she said.
The program is structured in three phases. Phase 2 focuses on design and demonstration, while Phase 3 will move to formal contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation framework, ensuring safety certification and long-term service arrangements.
For Australian companies already integrated into NASA’s supply chain – including firms in advanced manufacturing, robotics, materials engineering and space systems – Phase 2 could present new opportunities. With NASA’s commercial partners such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Sierra Space all maintaining long-standing ties to Australian industry, local firms may find pathways to expand their involvement in the next generation of orbital infrastructure.
NASA argues the commercial approach will lower costs for government while fostering innovation, freeing resources for deep space exploration through the Artemis program and future missions to Mars.
“Insight from these innovative companies will be invaluable as we work to chart the next phase of commercial space stations,” Duffy said.