NASA said that it hopes to open up part of the International Space Station to other researchers, including private sector research. The space station should be completed by 2010. Once completed, the International Space Station should have about twice as much onboard research area as NASA intends to use. Allowing private companies and other government agencies to use space aboard the station isn't likely to reduce 1.5 billion dollar yearly upkeep costs of the station. However, it will spread the cost of flights to the station, because private companies will need to pay transportation costs for their equipment.