NASA is seeking feedback from U.S. industry on the second phase of its Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Development Program, which aims to ensure a smooth transition from the International Space Station (ISS) to commercially operated stations.
The agency issued a draft Phase 2 Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) on Friday, with comments due by 1 p.m. EDT, Sept. 12. An industry br by Clarence Oxford
Washington DC (SPX) Sep 07, 2025
NASA is seeking feedback from U.S. industry on the second phase of its Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Development Program, which aims to ensure a smooth transition from the International Space Station (ISS) to commercially operated stations.
The agency issued a draft Phase 2 Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) on Friday, with comments due by 1 p.m. EDT, Sept. 12. An industry briefing is scheduled for Sept. 8 to outline the program's expectations and requirements.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy directed a reassessment of the agency's acquisition strategy to maintain mission continuity, affordability, and national alignment while avoiding any gap in crew-capable platforms in LEO. "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 American space industry is booming. Insight from these innovative companies will be invaluable as we work to chart the next phase of commercial space stations."
Phase 2 will support design and demonstration of commercial stations through multiple funded Space Act Agreements awarded via open competition. Each agreement will include milestones toward critical design review readiness and a crewed demonstration in orbit with four astronauts for at least 30 days. Performance periods may extend up to five years.
Angela Hart, manager of NASA's Commercial LEO Development Program, emphasized continuity from earlier efforts. "The work done under our Phase 1 contracts and agreements have put us in a prime position to be successful for this next funded Space Act Agreement phase. 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 phased plan will culminate with Phase 3, in which NASA will use Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contracts to procure services from certified commercial stations. This final phase will establish formal design acceptance and certification to ensure safety standards are met.
NASA officials underscored that the commercial strategy is designed to lower government costs, foster private innovation, and allow the agency to direct greater resources toward Artemis missions to the Moon and future crewed expeditions to Mars.
RFP Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Development Program Phase 2- SAA
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