Washington: The head of the US space agency is in talks with several global companies about taking over day-to-day operations at the International Space Station in the coming years, US media said on Tuesday.
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine made the comments in an interview with The Washington Post.
"We're in a position now where there are people out there that can do commercial management of the International Space Station," said the former Oklahoma congressman who was sworn in as leader of the space agency in April.
"I've talked to many large corporations that are interested in getting involved in that through a consortium, if you will."
He did not reveal which companies are engaged in the talks.
The White House said earlier this year it would end direct funding of the orbiting outpost by 2025, a position that raised fierce opposition among some lawmakers.
The most vocal critic has been Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz.
"As a fiscal conservative, you know one of the dumbest things you can to is cancel programs after billions in investment when there is still serious usable life ahead," Cruz said earlier this year.
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