NASA has finalized its strategy for sustaining a human presence in space, looking ahead toward the planned de-orbiting of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030. The strategy highlights the importance of maintaining the ability for extended stays in orbit after the ISS is retired. The document states, “NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy will guide the agency toward the next generation of continuous human presence in orbit, enable greater economic growth, and maintain international partnerships.”
This commitment comes amid questions about whether the new space stations will be ready on time, with fears that the Trump administration’s efficiency budget cuts could lead to reduced funding. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy emphasized that difficult decisions had to be made to focus on highest priorities. Commercial space company Voyager is working on one of the space stations that could replace the ISS when it de-orbits in 2030, and the company praised NASA’s strategy.
President Reagan’s 1984 State of the Union address emphasized the importance of private partnerships in space exploration, stating, “The market for space transportation could surpass our capacity to develop it.” The ISS, first launched in 1998, has hosted over 28 people from 23 countries. The Trump administration’s 2020 national space policy called for maintaining a “continuous human presence in Earth orbit” and transitioning to commercial platforms, a policy that the Biden administration has maintained. The strategy also addresses concerns from commercial and international partners over what it would mean to lose the ISS without a commercial station ready to go.
Three companies, including Voyager, are working with NASA to develop commercial space stations. Axiom signed an agreement with NASA in 2020, and the agency awarded contracts to Nanoracks and Blue Origin in 2021. Melroy mentioned that budget caps in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 have left them without as much investment, so they are co-investing with commercial partners. Voyager states it is not behind in the development process and plans to launch its starship space station in 2028. Additional funds have been provided for the three companies, and further funding could be crucial for some projects. One prospect is Long Beach, California’s Vast Space, which recently unveiled concepts for its Haven modules and plans to launch Haven-1 as soon as next year.
“We absolutely think competition is critical. This is a development project. It’s challenging. It was hard to build the space station. We’re asking our commercial partners to step up and do this themselves with some help from us. We think it’s really important that we carry as many options going forward to see which one really pans out when we actually get there,” Melroy said. The strategy aims to ensure that the United States remains the partner of choice in space exploration, countering potential competition from the Chinese space station.