Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD)
Program to develop commercial space stations succeeding the ISS (retirement targeted ~2030). Three Phase 1 awardees: Blue Origin (Orbital Reef), Nanoracks/Voyager (Starlab), Northrop Grumman. Axiom Space building commercial modules to attach to ISS first, then separate. Vast also selected for a private astronaut mission in 2026.
Budget
$415M Phase 1 awards; billions expected for Phase 2 certification
Timeline
2021–2030
Key Milestones
Phase 1 awards — Blue Origin, Nanoracks, Northrop Grumman
2021
Axiom Ax-3 mission — 3rd commercial crew to ISS
2024
Axiom raised $350M to accelerate station + spacesuit development
2026 — Feb
Vast and Axiom awarded new private astronaut ISS missions
2026
Axiom Station Module 1 launch to ISS (Thales Alenia building hardware)
2027
Axiom Ax-5 mission — 5th commercial ISS mission
2027
First free-flying commercial stations expected (Orbital Reef / Starlab)
2028
ISS retirement and controlled deorbit (SpaceX US Deorbit Vehicle)
2030
Contractors
Sources
- nasa.gov
- axiomspace.com
- nasaspaceflight.com