NASA issues final Request for Proposals for the next generation of commercial space stations

17 October 2026

NASA released a final Request for Proposals on Friday, October 9, 2026, inviting industry to propose plans for the next generation of commercial space stations in low Earth orbit. The release is numbered RELEASE 26-086 and the solicitation is posted on SAM.gov. Companies would design, build, test, certify and operate commercial low Earth orbit destinations providing end-to-end destination and transportation services for human spaceflight. NASA will use firm-fixed-price, multi-award, indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contracts. It plans to select two or more contractors for early development and then issue a competitive task order for final design, test and evaluation, plus certification and services, from one or more contractors. Proposals are due on Tuesday, December 8, and contract awards are expected in spring 2027. The release records that NASA issued two Requests for Information in March 2026 on low Earth orbit destinations and transportation, and a draft Request for Proposals in July 2026, followed by an industry day and one-on-one meetings. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency will never give up its presence in low Earth orbit.