The new space race is on. The space company of billionaire Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon) has announced the construction, together with Sierra Space, of what they have called Orbital Reef, a space station that will host tourists as well as researchers and other experts.
The commercial space station would be ready by the end of this decade, according to the company through a press release. Their plans, in fact, are for it to be operational in the second half of this decade, perhaps 2026 or 2027 (2030 at the latest). The new plans have come to light at a time when NASA is planning life after the International Space Station, because their agreements expire in 2024. It is not known what future will hold for the current ISS. What is on the table is that NASA and the European Space Agency want to launch the Lunar Gateway on the Moon, a space station that will orbit our satellite.
The new station
Orbital Reef is “designed to open up multiple new markets in space” and “will offer anyone the opportunity to set their own direction in orbit,” he says.
The space station will have a maximum crew capacity of 10 people and will act as a “mixed-use business park”. Aside from research, the space complex will include a hotel, a space for filming movies in microgravity, and even device manufacturing facilities.
Blue Origin and Sierra Space will work with Boeing, Redwire Space, Genesis Engineering Solutions and Arizona State University to build and maintain the station, as well as transport crew, visitors and material from Earth to orbit and vice versa.
The exact specifications of the station have not been published ; somewhat understandable at this early stage, but details of the basics of the program have been outlined. What we do know is that the station would be modular, allowing other private companies, space agencies and nations to connect and expand it if necessary. The core modules will be large diameter and the New Glenn heavy-lift reusable launch system will be used to place them in orbit and will be built by Blue Origin. In the meantime, Sierra Space will provide a Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) module, node module, and Dream Chaser spacecraft to transport crew, supplies and payloads to and from Earth.
Redwire Space will work on microgravity research, development and manufacturing, as well as conducting payload operations and deployable structures. Genesis Engineering Solutions is building a 2001: A Space Odyssey-style space capsule, called Single Person Spacecraft for outdoor work and sightseeing excursions without the need for a spacesuit, and Arizona State University will lead a global consortium of universities for advisory services. in research and public outreach.
“For more than sixty years, NASA and other space agencies have developed orbital spaceflight and space habitation, preparing us for commercial businesses to take off in this decade,” said Brent Sherwood, senior vice president of Advanced Development Programs at Blue Origin.
“We will expand access, reduce costs and provide all the services and amenities necessary to normalize space flight. A vibrant business ecosystem will grow in low Earth orbit, generating new discoveries, new products, new entertainment and global awareness . “
