WASHINGTON - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has released its final goals and objectives for low Earth orbit (LEO), outlining a long-term strategy to advance microgravity science, technology, and exploration as the agency prepares for the retirement of the International Space Station in 2030. The framework aims to sustain human presence in orbit, drive economic growth, and strengthen international partnerships. The document is available here.
"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. "Together, we are ensuring that the benefits of exploring space continue to grow – advancing science, innovation, and opportunities for all."
The strategy was developed after a consultation process that included over 1,800 comments from stakeholders, including industry, academia, international partners, and the public. NASA’s final framework consists of 13 goals and 44 objectives across seven areas: commercial infrastructure, operations, science, exploration technology, international cooperation, workforce development, and public engagement.
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The microgravity environment of LEO serves as a critical proving ground for technologies and research needed for human missions to the Moon and Mars. "Low Earth orbit will remain a hub for scientific discovery, technological advancement, and international cooperation," said Robyn Gatens, NASA’s director of the International Space Station.
NASA says leveraging the LEO environment will allow it to:
- Advance robotic and autonomous systems toward the independent achievement of diverse tasks.
- Demonstrate the performance of materials through exposure to the space environment to inform materials selections for future missions.
- Advance manufacturing and non-destructive evaluation techniques in the space environment to increase Earth-independence.
- Advance techniques for in-space assembly of structures towards autonomous assembly to enable increasingly complex mission concepts.
- Advance in-space performance of exploration environmental control and life support systems to enable multi-year exploration missions.
- Advance crew habitation, health, and performance technologies and systems to enable multi-year exploration missions.
"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."
Related: NASA releases Space Sustainability Strategy
NASA’s strategy emphasizes collaboration with commercial space providers to ensure continuous human presence and reliable access to orbit, supporting research, risk mitigation, and operational skills for future deep space exploration.
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