![NextSTEP image featuring a translucent hardware outline on top of a galaxy backdrop. Colors include blue, pink, and purple](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/nextstep_0.png?w=1041)
NextSTEP
Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships
NextSTEP seeks commercial development of new capabilities for human missions in deep space.
About
NextSTEP is a public-private partnership model.
NextSTEP seeks commercial development of new capabilities for human missions in deep space.
NASA has increasingly embraced public-private partnerships for achieving its strategic goals and objectives for expanding the frontiers of knowledge, capabilities, and opportunities in space. The next step for human spaceflight is the development of deep space exploration capabilities and demonstrating these capabilities in cislunar space. An important part of NASA’s strategy is to stimulate the commercial space industry while leveraging those same commercial capabilities through future contracts and public-private partnerships to deliver mission capabilities. The initial Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) was released in 2014 with selections made in 2015. This effort, NextSTEP-2, will solicit additional proposals to continue NASA’s development of space exploration technologies, capabilities, and concepts. The Omnibus BAA will be amended with each new appendix release. The current version is available below:
NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA about NextSTEP is a public-private partnership model.![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/habitat-interior-medical-1024x572-e1516724644387.png?w=560)
NextSTEP Appendices
NextSTEP solicitations are organized into Appendices. Click below to learn about each NextSTEP solicitation.
NextSTEP A: Habitation Systems
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/habitation-cislunar-concept.png?w=1024)
NextSTEP B: FabLab
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/tactile-sensor_0.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP C: Power and Propulsion Element Studies
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/full-power-level-operation-tdu2.png?w=1024)
NextSTEP D: In Situ Resource Utilization Technology
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mars-soil-excavation.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP E: Human Landing System Studies, Risk Reduction, Development, and Demonstration
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/nextstep_heros_gateway_full_config_00015_ac.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP F: Logistics Reduction in Space by Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS)
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/heatmeltcompactor.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP G: Space Relay Partnership and Services Study
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/space-network_2.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP H: Human Landing System
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spacex_starship_hls_artemis_iii_2_crew.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP I: Commercial Destination Development in Low Earth Orbit using the International Space Station
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iss058e013244_1.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP J: Opportunities to Stimulate Demand in Low Earth Orbit through Applied Research
![](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/iss028e016138/iss028e016138~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1275&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
NextSTEP K: Commercial Destination Development in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Free Flyer
![](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/iss007e07306/iss007e07306~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1307&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
NextSTEP L: CIS Capability Studies II: Wideband/Phased Array/Crosslink
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/wsc.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP N: Sustainable Human Landing System Studies and Risk Reduction
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hls-eva-steps-apr2020_0.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP O: Capability Studies for NASA Communications and Navigation Network Direct-to-Earth (DTE) and Lunar Space Relay (LSR) Commercialization Services
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/tdrs-13.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP P: Human Landing System Sustaining Lunar Development
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bluemoon_nasa_option_2023-05-19_01.29.31_0.jpg?w=985)