NASA launches space privatization era with 3 companies

The US space agency (NASA) announced Thursday that it has signed contracts with three companies to help them develop private space stations, in an additional step towards conducting commercial flights into space, against the backdrop of the future stoppage of the International Space Station.

The three companies are "Blue Origin", "Nanorax" and "Northrop Goman", with contracts valued at 130, 160 and 125.6 million dollars, respectively.

Axiom Space won a similar contract worth $140 million last year.

"We are collaborating with American companies to develop space destinations that people can visit and where they can live and work," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement.

NASA strongly encourages LEO privatization in order to save money and focus on distant exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.

The International Space Station will remain in service until 2024 and NASA has confirmed that it can technically operate until 2028. Bill Nelson has supported extending its service until 2030.

The goal is for private stations to take over later, putting an end to current international cooperation on the International Space Station, particularly with Russia.

These contracts "will help ensure the continued human presence of the United States in low orbit," NASA Commercial Flight Director Phil McAllister told a news conference.

"Any vulnerability (in this presence) will be harmful," he added.

In the future, the US space agency hopes to be able to use the services of private companies to meet their needs, without having to finance the costs of operating a station.

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