NASA has released a draft Phase 2 Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) for its Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Development Program and is seeking industry feedback to shape the next generation of privately operated space stations. The move is designed to ensure a seamless transition of U.S. activities in LEO from the International Space Station (ISS), which is planned for deorbit in 2030. Industry comments on the draft are due by 1 p.m. EDT on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, with an informational briefing scheduled for Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. The agency’s announcement and documents are available on NASA’s site at this link.
What Phase 2 Covers
Phase 2 will use multiple funded Space Act Agreements awarded through full and open competition to advance commercial station designs toward flight. Agreements are expected to:
- Fund milestones through critical design review (CDR) readiness.
- Require an in-space crewed demonstration with four astronauts for a minimum of 30 days.
- Include up to a five-year period of performance.
The approach prioritizes mission continuity, affordability, and alignment with national objectives while reducing the risk of any gap in availability of a crew-capable platform in LEO after the ISS.
Timeline and How to Engage
- Industry feedback deadline: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, by 1 p.m. EDT.
- Industry briefing: Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, for a top-level summary of the draft and expectations.
The Commercial LEO Development Program, under the direction of acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, reassessed the acquisition strategy to keep crews operating continuously in orbit while leveraging commercial innovation.
Acquisition Path to Services
NASA’s phased plan culminates in Phase 3, when the agency anticipates awarding Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based contracts to purchase station services via full and open competition. That phase will establish formal design acceptance and certification pathways, ensuring commercial stations meet NASA safety and mission requirements. The model shifts NASA from owning and operating government stations to buying services from certified providers.
Implications for the LEO Economy
The draft AFPP outlines a framework to sustain research, technology development, and astronaut training in LEO at potentially lower cost to the government. Certified commercial stations would serve public, private, and international users, maintain U.S. leadership in human spaceflight, and support Artemis by using LEO as a training and proving ground for missions to the Moon and Mars.
What Companies Should Prepare
- Review the draft AFPP and submit comments by the stated deadline.
- Attend the Sept. 8 briefing for clarifications on scope, milestones, and evaluation factors.
- Align designs and business cases to meet CDR-readiness, safety, and 30-day crewed demo requirements.
- Plan for certification and services delivery under potential Phase 3 FAR contracts.
NASA’s draft Phase 2 plan signals an accelerated path for commercial stations to reach on-orbit demonstration and certification, with the goal of uninterrupted U.S. human presence in LEO beyond 2030. For official details and updates, see NASA’s announcement at NASA.gov.
