Big Space Decision: NASA to unlock International Space Station (ISS) for private astronauts, commercialisation. Details here

The US space agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will open its doors for commercialization by 2020, it has announced.

NASA has said that it will allow the launching of private astronaut missions for up to 30 days on the International Space Station. The astronauts that are sent will be required to perform duties that fall into the approved commercial and marketing activities. NASA has stated it's confident about launching the first mission as early as 2020, with the move potentially paving the way for future missions.

The background to the decision is NASA's effort for broadening the scope of space travel and setting new goals for commercial activities on space stations which go beyond the limitations International Space Station (ISS). While the ISS is currently limited to research and development, the new directive by the organization will enable commercial manufacturing and production. It will also allow both NASA and private astronauts to engage in commercial activities aboard the orbiting laboratory. Pricing will be determined for industrial use of government resources aboard the space station for commercial and marketing activities. 

The agency is confident about accommodating up to two short-duration private astronaut missions per year to the ISS, provided that they have enough support to fund and execute these missions. The privately funded missions will make use of dedicated commercial spaceflights.  Private astronaut missions will use a U.S. spacecraft developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

NASA’s long-term goal is to become one of many customers purchasing services from independent, commercial and free-flying habitable destinations in low-Earth orbit. The move comes ahead of NASA's goal and of sending the first woman and next man on Moon by 2024 and will be undertaken in a joint effort by NASA and private American companies to establish a significant and long-term presence.

NASA’s ultimate goal is to maintain a sustainable presence in low-Earth orbit and partner with industry to set-up an ecosystem in which NASA itself will be a customer purchasing services a lower cost.

The organization has decided to continue its research and testing in low-earth orbit to carry on its lunar exploration plans, as they work with the private sector to test technologies, train astronauts and strengthen the space economy. All of this will be done by bringing in more opportunities at the International Space Station to manufacture, market and promote commercial products and services hence setting milestones for future space explorations.

The mega plan comprises of both supply and demand opportunities for a better economy, using government resources for commercialization, commencing private astronaut missions to the international space station, enabling commercial destinations in low-Earth orbit, pursuing activities that will further benefit emerging markets, and quantifying NASA’s long-term demand for activities in low-Earth orbit. As per the organization's press release, around 50 companies are already engaged in commercial research and development on the space station via the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, with promising results. In addition, NASA has worked with 11 different companies to install 14 commercial facilities on the station that support research and development projects for NASA and the ISS National Lab.