Overview
- NASA outlined the alternative concept at its March 24 Ignition event and then issued a March 25 request for information seeking feedback on a core module that would attach to the International Space Station.
- The RFI sets an April 8 response deadline, with a follow-up RFI planned for late April and a full request for proposals targeted for June.
- NASA’s Joel Montalbano said the market has lagged expectations and warned the old path could fund only one provider, arguing an ISS-linked core lets companies add modules and learn station operations in steps.
- Commercial Space Federation president Dave Cavossa urged NASA to keep the current plan and cited new investment and Starlab’s fully booked commercial racks as signs of demand.
- Rep. George Whitesides questioned whether a new core could be built and installed before the ISS retires around 2030 and whether NASA can afford it while still running the station.