Blue Abyss, the U.K.-based company that wants to train commercial astronauts at a proposed facility in Brook Park, has entered into a new partnership with NASA. Why it matters: It positions Blue Abyss as a major player in the commercial space industry and cements Brook Park — already home to NASA Glenn and the Ohio Aerospace Institute — as an international hub for outer space R&D.

The Space Act Agreement between NASA and Blue Abyss marks the next step in bringing a new astronaut training and space research facility to Brook Park’s west side.