![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)
NextSTEP Q: CIS Capability Studies III – Lunar User Terminals & Network Orchestration and Management System
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sandyastrov2-16x9-0.jpg?w=1024)
NextSTEP References
Many of the references cited in the NextSTEP Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement, including the NASA Proposer’s Guide and the Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM), can be found in the Regulations and Guidance section of the NASA Grants Compliance and Policy website here: https://www.nasa.gov/grants-policy-and-compliance-team/#Regulations
Additional references (in order of appearance in the document):
- SAM.gov
- Grants.gov
- NASA FAR Supplement
- NASA’s Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives Development
- Federal Acquisition Regulation
- 2023 M2M Architecture Definition Document
- NPR 8715.1, NASA Safety and Health Programs
- Code of Federal Regulations
- Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB)
- NASA Plan for Increasing Access to the Results of Scientific Research
- NASA Policy Directive 1360.2 Initiation and Development of International Cooperation in Space and Aeronautics Programs
- Procurement Class Deviation (PCD) 12-01A
- 48 CFR 1852.235-72, Instructions for Responding to NASA Research Announcements
- NASA Plan for Increasing Access to Results of Scientific Research
- 2 CFR 200 Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters