NASA seeks proposals from commercial companies for two new private crewed missions to ISS

On Friday, June 11,  National Aeronautics and Space ministration (NASA), U.S.A has sought proposals from commercial companies for two new private crewed missions to International Space Station. first mission would likely take place between fall of 2022 and mid-2023, first mission is expected to take place, and  second one would happen between mid-2023 and end of 2023. 

Private Astronaut Mission

Private astronaut missions are dedicated missions that are privately funded, fully commercial spaceflights on a commercial launch vehicle for purpose of enabling tourism, outreach, commercial research, and approved commercial and marketing activities on space station. se missions must use U.S. transportation vehicles certified by NASA, such as ones developed by Boeing and SpaceX under NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP). 

First Private Astronaut Mission of NASA

In early May, NASA and Axiom Space signed an order for first private astronaut mission to  International Space Station to take place no earlier than January 2022.  spaceflight, designated as Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and travel to International Space Station. Once dropped, Axiom astronauts are scheduled to spend eight days aboard orbiting laboratory. For private astronauts to conduct in coordination,  NASA and Axiom mission planners will coordinate in-orbit activities with space station crew members and flight controllers on ground. 

Axiom President and CEO Michael Suffredini said, “ first private crew to visit International Space Station is a watershed moment in humanity’s expansion off planet and we are gl to partner with NASA in making it happen. A thriving commercial marketplace in low-Earth orbit begins with expanding access to serious, nontritional users and that is exactly aim of our private astronaut missions.”

Commercialisation of NASA

As part of NASA's plan to develop a robust and competitive economy in low-Earth orbit, it has opened up space station for commercial activities, including private astronaut missions.  goal is to achieve this in sectors such as research on effects of space environment on humans, technology development, and in-flight crew testing. Commercial entities can meet those needs, providing destinations and transportation capabilities. To stimulate demand for commercial human spaceflight services so NASA can be one of many customers in low-Earth orbit, it is important to enabling Ax-1.

(With TechCrunch input)

(Image Credit: AP/UNSPLASH)