NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, or JSC, has started seeking industry input for the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination Contract, or CLDC.
According to the request for information notice posted on SAM.gov Wednesday, the JSC is soliciting feedback from potential contractors for the development of new LEO space destinations and supporting systems, including in-orbit destination, docking vehicles, supporting launch vehicles and ground systems.
NASA Preparing for ISS Retirement
Through the Commercial LEO Development Program, or CLDP, JSC is leading efforts to prepare for the eventual retirement of the International Space Station, or ISS, by the close of the decade. NASA intends to transition from the ISS to commercially-owed LEO space destinations to ensure a continuous U.S. presence in space.
The program will utilize a multi-phase approach to drive the transition. Phase 1 aims to accelerate the development of commercial orbital platforms and capabilities, with NASA already awarding the Space Act Agreements to several companies. Under the SAAs, the Commercial Destinations Free Flyer agreements were awarded to Blue Origin and Starlab Space, while the Collaborations to Commercial Space Capabilities agreements were also allocated to Blue Origin, as well as Northrop Grumman, Sierra Space, SpaceX, Special Aerospace Service, Think Orbital and Vast Space. Axiom Space was awarded the Commercial Destination ISS contract for further Commercial LEO Destination, or CLD, development tasks.
Phase 2 is still in development as NASA refines the requirements for CLD capabilities, designed to support NASA and international astronauts and spaceflight participants and ensure their safety in LEO while aboard a commercially owned space station.
Interested vendors can submit their responses by April 23.
