NASA is making good on its promise to open the International Space Station to tourism and commercial venues.
The agency has selected Axiom Space of Houston, Texas, to provide at least one habitable module for attachment to the ISS.
In June, the civilian space program announced plans to allow businesses—including filmmakers and private astronauts—use of the orbiting laboratory’s facilities for up to 30 days.
“Axiom’s work to develop a commercial destination in space is a critical step for NASA to meet its long-term needs for astronaut training, scientific research, and technology demonstrations in low-Earth orbit,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement.
NASA previously banned any commercial use of the Space Station and prohibited astronauts from taking part in for-profit research.
A change of heart, however, has turned developing commercial destinations in low-Earth orbit into part of NASA’s five-point plan for opening the ISS to marketing opportunities.
“We are transforming the way NASA works with industry to benefit the global economy and advance space exploration,” Bridenstine said. “It is a similar partnership that this year will return the capability of American astronauts to launch to the Space Station on American rockets from American soil.”
Other elements include efforts to make station and crew resources available for commercial use; enabling private astronaut missions to the station; stimulating long-term, sustainable interest in these services; and quantifying NASA’s long-term demand for activities in low-Earth orbit.
“This partnership between NASA and Axiom Space—a Houston, Texas, original—illustrates how critically important the International Space Station is, and will continue to be, for developing new technologies for low-Earth orbit and beyond, and for continuing America’s leadership in space,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said in a statement.
“Houston is known as Space City for a reason,” he continued, “and I look forward to this great Space City company and NASA turning this announcement into reality.”
NASA also plans to develop a free-flying commercial destination, independent of the ISS, to help meet long-term needs in low-Earth orbit beyond the life of the station.
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