Calay News
NASA has made public its intention to cede future developments to private companies and reserve the role of user of what it calls “Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations” (CLD) once the time comes to do away with the International Space Station (ISS).
The idea is for private initiative to establish small (or not so small) orbital laboratories, ranging from industrial facilities for manufacturing and materials processing to so-called “space hotels.” NASA would focus on being a customer and estimates that it will need between 3,000 and 4,000 man-hours per year to conduct a maximum of 230 experiments. Responsibility for operations would be with the station owner, with oversight by NASA technicians.
NASA has no plans to replace the ISS, although it is expected that private initiatives will take over its role in the future. Although there are several projects to use inflatable structures to build small hotels for space tourists, for the moment they are attached to the ISS. As for the requirements for the habitat, NASA has specified that it must allow for shirtsleeves, a quiet environment, a proper kitchen, exercise devices, and access to the internet, email, movies, games, and digital books.
Also included is the need for a private compartment for storing personal items, but no airlock to go outside. NASA is aware of the challenges ahead, as the ISS is not the only space station: China has its own station, Tiangong, which is already operational.
