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The planned decommissioning of the International Space Station has accelerated private sector initiatives for commercial space stations, which are expected to facilitate research, manufacturing, tourism, and servicing in microgravity. Key projects include Starlab, led by Nanoracks with Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin, which aims to be operational by the late 2020s and received a $160 million NASA contract in December 2021.

Orbital Reef, developed by Blue Origin and Sierra Space, is designed as a versatile multi-use space business park and has also secured funding through NASA's Commercial LEO Destinations program. Axiom Space is pursuing a phased approach, starting with private missions to the ISS and planning to evolve into a free-flying station focused on various commercial opportunities, having already completed multiple private crew missions to the ISS.