The European Space Agency (ESA), which is jointly leading the tender with its Canadian counterpart, confirmed the agencies are due to travel to Holland next week to pitch for the work, with a view to announcing the winner on 9 October.
ESA and the Canadian Space Agency first unveiled their plans for the campaign in March this year (PRWeek, 29 March).
The initial call for interest generated responses from 19 consultancies, which ESA and CSA whittled down to a shortlist of five.
It is understood the pitch list includes firms from the UK alongside consultancies across Europe.
ESA head of commercialisation Maurizio Belingheri said the successful agency will help create a brand identity for the ISS from scratch.
'Until recently, the ISS has been under construction, so there has been nothing to promote,' said Belingheri.
The campaign will seek to promote the commercial opportunities of the ISS, focusing on consumers and the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, energy and education sectors
Work will involve media relations, sponsorship, branding, advertising and event management.
ESA said that all agencies in the running had been chosen according to their global reach.
