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The Launch Pad @TheLaunchPadX - NEWS - NASA ABANDONS NEW ISS CORE MODULE
@NASA has withdrawn a controversial proposal that would have significantly altered the agency's approach to transitioning from the International Space Station (ISS) to commercially operated orbital destinations, following strong opposition from industry leaders developing the next generation of space stations.
In a statement released June 1, NASA Press Secretary Bethany Stevens confirmed the agency will no longer pursue a government-owned "core module" concept that would have served as the foundation for future commercial space stations.
The decision marks a major reversal for NASA and signals renewed confidence in the agency's original Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations (CLD) strategy, which seeks to foster privately owned and operated stations with NASA acting as one customer among many.
NASA first unveiled the core module concept during its March 24 Ignition event, where agency officials expressed concerns that commercial space station markets were developing more slowly than anticipated.
"In the spirit of learning from past programmatic challenges and ensuring a responsible transition from the International Space Station, NASA evaluated both the current commercial space station approach and alternative pathways," - Bethany Stevens, NASA Press Secretary
Under the proposal, NASA would have procured a central module providing critical station services such as power, propulsion, life support, and docking ports. Commercial companies would then attach their own modules to the government-owned element before eventually detaching from the ISS to form an independent station.
However, the concept quickly drew criticism from commercial station developers who argued it would undermine the very market NASA was attempting to create.
“It was a surprise...government-owned component wasn’t all that well received, at least by us.” - Jonathan Cirtain, Chief Executive of @Axiom_Space
"The PAM missions have proven that more and more nations that are not involved in the ISS are willing to fly astronauts...The market is sovereign governments, and it’s a growing market.” - Max Haot, Chief Executive of @vast
“I think that the market is there,...We are 140% oversold for commercial space.” - Marshall Smith, Chief Executive of @Starlab_Space
The decision represents a significant victory for commercial station developers, who argued that a sustainable market exists beyond NASA alone and that privately led stations remain the best path toward replacing the ISS after its planned retirement.
"Industry has provided extensive feedback making the case for a sustainable commercial market in which NASA is one customer among many, along with assurances regarding available transportation capabilities. The industry position will now shape the path forward as NASA proceeds with the original commercial strategy." - Bethany Stevens, NASA Press Secretary
Commercial stations developer Max Haot was quick to welcome the change of plans posting on social media.
“Thank you, @NASAAdmin, for the collaborative dialogue and for giving the commercial space station industry the opportunity to compete for NASA’s business and win the privilege of building the ISS successor for the U.S. and our allies” - Max Haot, Chief Executive of Vast
As NASA prepares for the end of ISS operations, the agency's latest decision reinforces its commitment to a future in which commercial companies, not the government own and operate humanity's next generation of low Earth orbit destinations.