"NASA will only pay for the part we require."
It's time to downsize
NASA will not replace the International Space Station when it is finally retired.
CNBC reports that the space agency wants to save money and has offered up to $400 million to the top proposals. The agency estimates that it will save $1 billion annually even with the huge prize. This would allow NASA to invest in new missions and not space station maintenance. It is a major shift in NASA's priorities to private spacetech.
Timeshare Opportunities
NASA is a long-standing leader in space technology, but it does not plan to purchase an entire station or serve as sole proprietor. NASA's director of commercial spaceflight Phil McAlister stated to CNBC that NASA won't pay for all of the costs of developing new space stations.
McAlister stated that cost-sharing was an explicit part of the initial announcement for proposals. We do not expect to pay for all commercial destinations. This is not appropriate as the companies will own the intellectual property, and they'll be able sell this capability to customers outside of NASA.
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Smart spending
McAlister believes NASA can shift its focus from developing orbital technology to reprioritizing exploration with the $1 billion annual savings it expects from downsizing and outsourcing space station operations and development.
McAlister stated to CNBC that the savings, which McAlister projects to be in the billions to a billion-and a half dollars annually, can be used for deep space missions and aspirations.
READ MORE: NASA examines private space station proposals and expects to save more than $1 billion each year after the ISS retires [CNBC]
NASA is trying to figure out how to kill the International Space Station
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