Blue Origin Withdraws From NASA Commercial Space Station Competition

Blue Origin has decided not to bid on NASA's competition to support the development of commercial space stations. The decision removes one of the most heavily resourced players from the field vying to succeed the International Space Station.

The company is withdrawing from NASA's Commercial LEO Destinations program, the agency's effort to seed privately owned successors to the ISS. The move was reported on November 12 and 13.

Under the Commercial LEO Destinations competition, participants would build, own, and operate a crewed outpost in low Earth orbit. Blue Origin's exit leaves the remaining competitors to vie for NASA station funding.

The withdrawal removes a long-standing contender from NASA's post-ISS station plans. With Blue Origin out, the field competing for NASA's commercial station support narrows.

Blue Origin's departure reshapes the competitive landscape for NASA's planned transition to commercial stations in low Earth orbit and raises questions about the economics of such outposts for even the deepest-pocketed entrants.

What remains to be seen is how the remaining competitors proceed in the Commercial LEO Destinations competition and how NASA structures its support for privately owned stations intended to succeed the International Space Station.