NASA 于周五向美国商业航天行业发布了一份备受期待的“征求建议书”，旨在开发私营空间站，最早将于 2030 年接替国际空间站，成为宇航员在近地轨道生活的场所。
NASA on Friday released a much-anticipated "request" to the US commercial space industry to develop private space stations that, as early as 2030, will succeed the International Space Station as a place for astronauts to live in low-Earth orbit.
在随附这份 360 页“征求建议书”的求职信中，NASA 陈述了其计划：“这将确保 NASA 在近地轨道拥有持续的人类存在，供机组成员进行科学研究和探索。”多家多年来一直致力于设计和开发此类空间站的私营公司一直渴望了解 NASA 究竟在寻求什么能力。这些新文件终于提供了一些答案。
In a cover letter accompanying the 360-page "request for proposals," NASA stated its plan: "This will ensure NASA has a sustained human presence in LEO for crew members to perform science and exploration." Several private companies that have worked for years on designing and developing such stations have been keen to learn exactly what capabilities NASA is seeking. These new documents finally provide some answers.
NASA 的征求建议书可在此处查看。行业回复需于 12 月 8 日前提交给 NASA。NASA 表示计划在本阶段竞争中选择“两家或更多”承包商，并打算在 4 月做出最终决定。
NASA's solicitation can be found here. Industry responses are due back to NASA on December 8. NASA said it plans to select "two or more" contractors in this phase of the competition, and intends to make a final decision in April.