NASA sets sights on private space stations

Subject

Space stations.

Significance

As Washington returns its sights to the moon, it is reforming its policies regarding the International Space Station (ISS) with a view to jump-starting a 'low-earth orbit economy' in which private firms offer services to corporate clients, foreign governments and wealthy individuals.

Impacts

• China's space station, due for completion in 2022, could draw third-country projects away from commercial US space stations.
• Governments are more promising clients for commercial crewed spaceflight than 'space tourists' are.
• Commercial stations and passenger spacecraft could make human spaceflight accessible to allied states.
• Spaceflight will remain politicised.