NASA hosted a meeting to share knowledge with companies developing future commercial destinations at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The discussion could aid in developing safe, reliable, innovative, and cost-effective space stations. Industry representatives from more than 20 companies attended.
The program focused on NASA's planned use of commercial destinations, draft utilization requirements, and the payload life cycle. A primary interest for the use of commercial stations includes the continuation of scientific research in low Earth orbit, such as human research, technology demonstrations, biological and physical science, and Earth observation.
"NASA has benefited from the unique microgravity environment of low Earth orbit to conduct important science investigations and technology demonstrations for more than two decades," said Dr. Kirt Costello, utilization manager for NASA's Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program. "As commercial companies make progress in the design and development of their own space stations, it is important that we share NASA's needs and requirements as well as foster an open dialogue between government and private industry."
