Congress extends ISS and tells NASA to get moving on private space stations
Summary
The article reports that Congress extended the ISS life to 2032 and pushed NASA to accelerate commercial space stations in low-Earth orbit through a detailed authorization bill. It mandates public release of requirements within 60 days, a final RFP within 90 days, and contracts with at least two private providers within 180 days, as private companies like Axiom Space and Vast raise capital to build new habitats. The piece discusses readiness concerns and the policy landscape shaping a transition from ISS to commercial space stations by around 2030–2032.