NASA pushes private LEO stations to succeed the International Space Station

NASA has issued a draft Request for Proposals for a Commercial Low‑Earth‑Orbit Destination Contract, outlining a shift to a “tenant model” where the agency purchases services from privately owned orbital outposts that could replace the aging International Space Station. The agency’s plan aims to create a sustainable orbital economy, though groups such as the Space Frontier Foundation warn the RFP may be overly bureaucratic and could deter private investment.

The broader NewSpace sector is expanding rapidly. The Space Foundation reports the global space economy reached a record $686 billion in 2025, with commercial activity accounting for $544 billion (about 79%). Launch activity surged, with 149 orbital launches in the first half of 2025—roughly one every 28 hours—led primarily by SpaceX, whose Falcon 9 and Starship systems dominate the market.