NASA opens the door to commercial space stations. Here's what NASA plans next

NASA has released its final Request for Proposals for commercial space stations, seeking companies to design, build, test, certify, and operate destinations for human spaceflight in low Earth orbit. The agency plans to select two or more contractors for early development, with proposals due December 8, 2026, and contract awards expected in spring 2027. The initiative aims to sustain research, astronaut training, and technology development in orbit after the International Space Station retires. Video Credit: NASA / GettyImages / acquisition.gov