NASA initiates $34.1 billion procurement for commercial space station successors

NASA has officially released a tender to secure the future of orbital research following the planned decommissioning of the International Space Station (ISS). After 2030, SpaceX is expected to be contracted for $850 million to deorbit the ISS, causing it to burn up in the atmosphere and land in the ocean.

To replace the ISS, NASA has launched a multi-phase procurement process valued at approximately $34.1 billion. The agency aims to select at least two teams for an initial development phase, providing $100 million per team to cover planning, technical development, and construction. These commercial stations are intended to serve as hubs for scientific research, technology development, and training for future Moon and Mars missions.

One prominent contender is Starlab, a consortium led by Voyager Technologies that includes partners such as Hilton Worldwide, Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Palantir. Reports indicate Starlab is seeking to raise $300 million in Series A funding, with the joint venture potentially reaching a valuation of $1.25 billion following the round.