Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Development Program Phase 2- SAA

The Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Destinations (CLD) Phase 2 Directive provides updates and clarifications on NASA's revised acquisition strategy for commercial space stations, aiming to replace the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030 with a more cost-effective platform. The President's Budget Request for FY2026 includes $272.3 million for FY2026 and $2.1 billion over the next five years for this initiative. Phase 1 involved contracts and Space Act Agreements (SAAs) with various companies like Axiom Space, Blue Origin, and Starlab Space for designing and developing commercial modules and free-flying destinations. The revised Phase 2 strategy shifts from a traditional Request for Proposal to multiple funded SAAs, offering greater flexibility for industry. These SAAs will involve full and open competition, with a 3-year base period and optional milestones up to 5 years, focusing on design, development, and in-space crewed demonstrations for at least two providers. Phase 3 will involve a separate, full and open competition for certification and services, expected to be awarded before the final demonstration completion.

This document clarifies frequently asked questions regarding the Commercial Low Earth Orbit (CLD) Directive, focusing on demonstration requirements, funding, and future plans for commercial space stations. NASA emphasizes a non-negotiable minimum capability of supporting four crew members for one-month increments for the Phase 2 Space Act Agreement, while allowing flexibility in proposals for in-space crewed demonstrations. The demonstration vehicle is intended to provide foundational functionality for future missions, and additional demonstrations and milestones are encouraged. NASA aims to bridge the gap post-ISS and is still finalizing criteria for proposal evaluation, future certification, and services contracts. The expected budget for the CLD Phase 2 SAAs is approximately $2.1 billion over five years. NASA will not guarantee future contracts to Phase 2 awardees, as Phase 3 will involve full and open competition.

This document addresses frequently asked questions regarding the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations (CLD) initiative, specifically clarifying directives for Phase 2 Space Act Agreements (SAAs). The core of the clarifications revolves around the demonstration requirements, emphasizing a non-negotiable minimum capability to support four crew members for one-month increments. This is intended to bridge the gap post-International Space Station (ISS) and provide foundational functionality for future missions. While NASA allows flexibility in proposals, the four-crew, one-month duration is a strict minimum. The demonstration vehicle is expected to be the starting point for a commercial space station, with an emphasis on scalable and affordable designs. Industry partners are responsible for the crew demonstration flight, with 25% of the SAA value contingent on its success. The expected budget for Phase 2 SAAs is approximately $2.1 billion over five years. NASA aims to define certification and services criteria for Phase 3, with a Certification Transition Framework to be delivered by December 4, 2025, and encourages industry feedback throughout this process. NASA will not guarantee future certification or services contracts for Phase 2 awardees.

The Commercial LEO Development Program (CLDP) Phase 2 aims to expedite the development and demonstration of commercial low-Earth orbit (LEO) destination systems (CLDS) by 2030. Through a Funded Space Act Agreement (FSAA), NASA plans to award $1B-$1.5B to at least two U.S. commercial providers for designing, developing, testing, and conducting a crewed LEO demonstration. The program requires a minimum 30-day, 4-crew mission (with a U.S. citizen commander) and emphasizes cost-effectiveness, crew safety, and interoperability. Proposals must include a technical approach, business plan, and a detailed insight plan for NASA. Key milestones include a Critical Design Review (CDR) and the on-orbit crewed demonstration. NASA will provide guidance and insight but expects participants to secure external funding and manage their projects, aiming to foster a robust commercial LEO economy.

The C3DO Industry Day Questions & Answers document clarifies various aspects of NASA's C3DO program, addressing questions from a September 8, 2025, virtual industry day. NASA plans to use Crewed Lunar/Mars Destinations (CLDs) for Moon 2 Mars (M2M) program exploration technologies, aligning with agency goals. The document details payment processes, including milestone acceptance within 30 days and invoice submission via the Treasury's IPP. It clarifies the demonstration mission's U.S. citizen crew requirement, preferably a U.S. Citizen Commander, and notes that past performance on the ISS is not required but technical development activities should be described. AS9100 compliance is not explicitly mandated for CLDs but expected for safety and likely for follow-on contracts. NASA intends to fund in-space applications on CLDs without competing with business arrangements, but timing is unknown. Insight plans will be funded under the Funded SAA, with costs for resident offices included in proposals. Business plans will be evaluated for effectiveness in meeting Section 3.1 goals, including management, financial investment, affordability, and supporting government and commercial customers. The 30-day demonstration mission is for system validation and future science objectives, not a signal for monthly crew rotations. Small business goals are not required for Space Act Agreements but recommended for future FAR-based phases. Technical and business approaches are evaluated separately for effectiveness against C3DO goals, with the Selection Authority choosing a portfolio that best meets these goals within available funding. CLD development is not tied to the ISS End of Life. NASA welcomes feedback from all interested parties, and Phase 3 is anticipated to be FAR-based but not definitively a FAR Part 12 contract.

NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center released a Draft Announcement for Partnership Proposal (AFPP) for the Commercial Destinations - Development and Demonstration Objectives (C3DO) Space Act Agreement (SAA). This draft, part of NASA's Commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Development Program (CLDP), seeks public review and comment on all aspects including goals, milestones, SAA terms, proposal instructions, evaluation, legal framework, and insight approach. Feedback is also requested on the overall acquisition strategy (Phase 2 and Phase 3) and its impact on pricing and CLD investment. Comments must be submitted electronically via email to JSC-C3DO-SAA@mail.nasa.gov by noon (Central) on September 12, 2025, using the provided feedback template. Key tentative dates include an Industry Day on September 8, 2025, and the release of the Final AFPP by October 3, 2025, with an estimated award in April 2026. This draft is not a solicitation, and NASA is not currently requesting proposals, nor is it a commitment to award an SAA. The final AFPP will be published on www.sam.gov.

NASA's Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program (CLDP) has released a Draft Announcement for Partnership Proposal (AFPP) for Commercial Destinations - Development and Demonstration Objectives (C3DO). This initiative seeks U.S. commercial partners to develop and demonstrate commercially owned and operated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) destination systems, targeting an on-orbit crewed demonstration flight by 2030. Key goals include establishing capable teams, securing financial investment, achieving cost-effective development, and ensuring safety and interoperability. Proposals must detail technical approaches, development plans, safety measures, and certification plans. NASA anticipates providing $1.0-1.5 billion across fiscal years 2026-2031 for a minimum of two Funded Space Act Agreements (FSAAs). The final AFPP is planned for release on October 3, 2025, with proposals due by December 1, 2025.

The Draft Funded Space Act Agreement (FSAA) for Commercial Destinations-Development and Demonstration Objectives (C3DO) outlines a collaboration between NASA and industry to develop U.S. Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination Systems (CLDS) by 2030. The agreement details responsibilities for both NASA and the Partner (<XYZ>), including milestone payments, data sharing, and compliance requirements. Key articles cover liability, intellectual property, and crew conduct, with a focus on cross-waivers and the protection of proprietary data. The document emphasizes the need for non-Government Astronauts to be informed of spaceflight risks and for the Partner to secure insurance for government property. This FSAA is designed to facilitate the design, development, testing, and crewed demonstration of commercially owned and operated CLDS platforms.

NASA’s "Commercial Destinations – Development and Demonstration Objectives (C3DO)" guide outlines the extensive public-private support available for developing Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations (CLDs). This includes unique infrastructure, technical capabilities, and specialized expertise from various NASA centers, accessible through Space Act Agreements. The guide details NASA's technical data library, covering spacecraft systems and operations, and provides reference materials for certification and service contracts. It establishes a formal process for commercial partners to request technical support, including access to Government Furnished Services (GFS) and Equipment (GFE). The process involves submission, data sharing agreements, initial review, feasibility assessment, implementation, and export control compliance. Specific capabilities from Johnson Space Center/White Sands Test Facility, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Kennedy Space Center are highlighted, ranging from engineering products like fire emergency equipment and toilet systems to human health and performance services, spaceflight environmental testing, and mission planning.

The NASA Commercial Destinations—Development and Demonstration Objectives (C3DO) Announcement 80JSC026C3DO outlines NASA's utilization service needs for Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program (CLDP). This draft document, released September 5, 2025, with a planned final release on October 3, 2025, and proposals due December 1, 2025, details minimum capabilities across three categories based on NASA's priorities and implementation order. Category 1 specifies needs for short-duration missions, Category 2 expands to include long-duration missions, and Category 3 represents the vision for a CLD future end-state. The document lists detailed requirements for destination capabilities (e.g., reconfigurable locker style payloads, power, conditioned stowage, various lab equipment), transportation upmass, and transportation downmass, all referenced against the CLDP Utilization Standard, CLDP-STD-1106. These requirements are for USG payloads and aim to support future commercial space activities.

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