NASA-funded Commercial Space Station Competition Shrinks – And Heats Up
Keith’s note: First we hear that Blue Origin and Sierra Space partnership for a commercial space station (Orbital Reef) is falling apart. Now we hear that Northrop Grumman is going to end its independent effort and is going to join with the Voyager Space/Nanoracks team. What was once 4 different space station ideas with NASA funding is now suddenly two i.e. Axiom Space and Voyager Space/Nanoracks/Northrop Grumman. The question is whether this helps NASA as budgets tighten or frees up more funds to make things happen faster. Or both. Or neither. Stay tuned. Keith’s 11 October update: both @BlueOrigin and @Sierra Space tweeted that they are still working together, But it took more than a week for them to get around to doing so. Hmmm ….
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The only way it should matter is if there are paying customers. That means customers who need a space station for some purpose and who have the money and market/revenue to pay for the service. But if that were out there for the picking, then NASA and its contractors would not be so quick to give up ISS. NASA and the world have been looking for those wealthy mystery customers and products since before Shuttle started to fly.