In alignment with the agency’s initiatives to facilitate expanded space utilization, NASA has published its definitive goals and objectives concerning low Earth orbit. This document delineates the long-term strategy for progressing microgravity science, technology, and exploration to the collective advantage of humanity. Formulated with contributions from diverse stakeholders, NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy will serve as a guiding framework for the agency as it endeavors to establish the next generation of sustained human presence in orbit, foster increased economic development, and uphold international collaborations.
“As we near the retirement of the International Space Station in 2030, these objectives are a pivotal next step in solidifying U.S. leadership in space,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “Our consultation with industry, academia, and international partners has helped refine a visionary roadmap for our future in low Earth orbit, which will be enabled by a continuous human presence. Together, we are ensuring that the benefits of exploring space continue to grow – advancing science, innovation, and opportunities for all, while preparing for humanity’s next giant leap of exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond.”
In early 2024, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) commenced a strategic planning process that involved formulating an initial set of goals and objectives concerning the low Earth orbit microgravity environment. This process also entailed soliciting feedback from diverse stakeholders, including its workforce, governmental partners, industry, academic institutions, international space agencies, and the general public. The agency meticulously reviewed over 1,800 comments and conducted two workshops, leading to significant revisions of the goals and objectives to ensure a closer alignment with its partners’ interests. Subsequently, the finalized framework articulates 13 goals and 44 objectives distributed across seven pivotal domains: commercial low Earth orbit infrastructure, operational protocols, scientific inquiry, research and technological advancement for exploration, international collaboration, workforce development alongside science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement, as well as public outreach.
NASA’s initiatives in low Earth orbit are critical to its overarching aspirations for deep space exploration. The microgravity environment in low Earth orbit is a cost-efficient and readily accessible proving ground for the technologies and research requisite for human missions to explore the solar system. Considering that a substantial portion of the journey to the Moon and Mars transpires in microgravity, the defined objectives offer an invaluable opportunity to perpetuate essential human research, evaluate forthcoming exploration systems, and preserve the indispensable skills required for operation within the microgravity environment.
“These finalized objectives represent a clear path forward as NASA transitions from the International Space Station to a new era of commercial space stations,” said Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station and acting director of commercial spaceflight. “Low Earth orbit will remain a hub for scientific discovery, technological advancement, and international cooperation, while making strategic investments in a commercial space ecosystem that benefits not just NASA, but the entire space community.”
The objectives and goals related to microgravity in low Earth orbit, in conjunction with significant stakeholder engagement, underscore NASA’s imperative to sustain an uninterrupted human presence within the commercial low Earth orbit phase. NASA necessitates long-duration flights to mitigate risks associated with upcoming missions to the Red Planet. A diverse array of providers operating regularly is essential to guarantee reliable access to and utilization of low Earth orbit. These objectives will also inform the formulation of requirements for future commercial space stations that will support NASA’s missions while minimizing risks for human endeavors to Mars, preserving essential operational skills, advancing pivotal scientific research, and maintaining engagement with international and commercial partners.
“Collaboration and consultation remain a cornerstone of our low Earth orbit strategy,” said John Keefe, director of cross-agency strategy integration at NASA. “The objectives we’ve established will help NASA craft a work plan that ensures NASA is positioned to meet current and future needs and prioritizes the development of critical capabilities for low Earth orbit.”