NASA released its final Request for Proposals on Friday, asking US companies to submit plans for the next generation of commercial space stations in low Earth orbit.
According to the NASA announcement, the request supports the President's national space policy and is meant to keep the United States in the lead in orbit. Under this approach, privately built and operated outposts would take over the role that government-run facilities have played until now.
The agency wants to buy services on these stations instead of owning them, so that it can put more of its money into deep-space exploration. Industry responses will help decide which companies NASA backs as it prepares for the period after the International Space Station.
