CONGRESS EXTENDS ISS AND TELLS NASA TO GET MOVING ON PRIVATE SPACE STATIONS

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

Senator Ted Cruz has introduced a new bill to step up the pressure on NASA to create competition among private companies to develop replacements for the International Space Station. The bill mandates that NASA publicly release requirements for commercial space stations in low-Earth orbit within 60 days, release the final request for proposals to solicit industry responses within 90 days, and enter into contracts with two or more commercial providers for such stations within 180 days. The legislation extends the International Space Station's lifespan from 2030 to 2032, but an extension must still be approved by international partners.