spacetoday.net: NASA releases ISS commercialization plans

Posted: Sun, Jun 9, 2019, 9:47 AM ET (1347 GMT)
ISS during STS-135 mission (NASA)

NASA unveiled a multi-pronged effort Friday to increase commercial use of the International Space Station, from changes in policy to making a docking port available for commercial modules. The policy, announced at the Nasdaq stock exchange, will allow two private astronauts a year to fly to the station on commercial crew vehicles for stays of up to 30 days. NASA is also updating its ISS commercial use policy and pricing for commercial ISS uses. The agency will be releasing a solicitation in the coming weeks that makes a port on the station available for commercial modules, and will support studies of commercial uses of the station and potential free-flying stations. NASA hopes these efforts will lead to the developing of commercial LEO facilities that could serve as successors to the ISS.