NextSTEP stands for Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships. NASA uses this contracting model to co-fund the development of habitats, life support systems, and propulsion meant for lunar and Martian missions. By requiring commercial partners to invest their own capital alongside government funds, the agency accelerates the transition to sustainable deep space operations.
The new habitat prototype was funded under a NextSTEP broad agency announcement.
Also heard as
- Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships
Related terms
Artemis
The crewed spaceflight program led by the United States to return astronauts to the Moon and establish a sustainable lunar presence.
COTS
Commercial Orbital Transportation Services was a program to fund private cargo flights to space.
SLS
The Space Launch System is a super heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle developed by NASA.