Main Engine Cut Off T+311: Phil McAlister on Commercial LEO and NASA’s Human Spaceflight Budget
Oct 10, 2025
Phil McAlister, former Director of NASA’s Commercial Space Division, discusses the challenges facing NASA's human spaceflight budget and the future of commercial LEO destinations. He reveals how geopolitical events may have altered funding opportunities and explains NASA leadership's hesitance to retire the ISS. McAlister estimates that shifting to commercial stations could cut NASA's costs significantly. With budget pressures mounting, he warns that NASA might face serious operational challenges if funding issues persist.
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Institutional Resistance To Retiring ISS
- NASA senior leadership often resists retiring the ISS despite administration pushes to transition to commercial LEO destinations.
- Institutional incentives and field-center politics make keeping big programs attractive to managers and Congress.
Congress Favors The Status Quo
- Congress shows little pressure to change the status quo for ISS because local political wins favor keeping existing programs.
- That lack of Congressional pressure reduces incentives for NASA leadership to pivot to commercial solutions.
Planned Budget Push Derailed By Leadership Change
- Phil explains his strategy to wait for solid cost estimates before requesting budget increases for commercial LEO destinations.
- He planned a 2024 push but lost momentum after Kathy Lueders left NASA leadership.