When you buy through links in our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn commission.
People have been involved in the Salyut, Skylab, Mir and Tiangong programs in the last half century, and of course International Space Station (ISS). In addition to providing Incredible landscapes of the worldThese space stations have proven that humans can live and work in space and have brought unique lessons about microgravity and the cosmos. They have taught us about the challenges of living in microgravity and the fragility of life beyond the cradle of our planet.
But changing dynamics in the space industry will usher in a new era of private space stations tasked with continuing that legacy. The ISS—a decades-old, multinational enterprise of collaboration and technological achievement—is coming to an end and could be decommissioned around 2030.
In contrast, private companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Planet, Rocket Lab, Virgin Galactic, Axiom Space and Sierra Space are also ready to do so. ushering in a new era of commercial space stations.
Relating to: NASA Turns to Private Outposts to Continue International Space Station’s Legacy
SEE MORE 25TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURES:
You can find a list of Space.com’s special 25th anniversary week stories here!
“In the short term, commercial space stations are a necessary next step to fill the gap left by the impending retirement of the ISS,” said Beyond Earth Institute spokesperson Lauren Andrade. “Beyond that, commercial space stations offer a flexibility and capital that government-led projects do not have.”
Blue Origin — along with companies like Redwire, Sierra Space and Boeing — is building Orbital ReefA mixed-use business and science park in LEO. The space station will be a scalable, modular outpost for research, manufacturing, tourism, and more. The main living space will include 10 crew cabins.
“Commercial space stations open up more avenues for both governments and private actors to participate in space activities,” Andrade told Space.com.
Both the scope of activities and the modules themselves will be expanded. Orbital Reef, Sierra Space inflatable Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) habitatThe New Glenn rocket would be housed in a payload fairing but expanded once in orbit. Such a design would provide much more volume than the separate, rigid ISS modules launched by the now-retired NASA space shuttle and Russian launch vehicles.
Sierra Space said in 2023 that it aims to launch a precursor for LIFE in late 2026. That module will have a volume of 10,600 cubic feet (300 cubic meters). The company has also proposed a larger module of 49,440 cubic feet (1,400 cubic meters). By comparison, the largest single ISS module, the Kibo module, has a volume of 5,474 cubic feet (155 cubic meters).
As part of the transition to next-generation space stations, Axiom Space hopes to send its first commercial module to the ISS Until 2026.
Both Axiom Space and Blue Origin have received support from NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program for these initiatives. Star Lab The space station, a project involving Nanoracks, Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin, also won a NASA award and could enter service as early as 2028.
The plan is for NASA to be one of a number of customers rather than the sole backer. Indeed, another interested party is the European Space Agency, which has signed a memorandum of understanding with Voyager Space and Airbus for Starlab. This indicates strong early interest, but more and diverse commercial partners will be desired. Other players include Vast, a California-based startup that plans to launch its first private station. Heaven-1On a SpaceX in mid-2025 Falcon 9 rocket.
Even if there is a gap between the ISS being decommissioned and commercial stations entering orbit, tiangong space station will ensure a sustained presence in space. China’s three-module orbital outpost was completed in 2022 and currently hosts a crew of three astronauts for six months. The country is also looking at commercial opportunities for Tiangong — for example, by expanding the outpost with new modules and commercial and tourism missions.
Expanding beyond LEO
International projects will also expand beyond LEO. NASA’s construction in lunar orbit Gateway space station will soon launch a lunar orbit foundation future moon explorationThe space station will provide a human habitat beyond LEO for the first time and will include commercial partners.
Because Gateway will be beyond orbit Earth’s protective magnetic fieldwill face a number of additional challenges, including higher radiation levels that threaten both electronics and astronauts, a longer journey time, higher launcher demands, and greater communications and power requirements.
Artemis 4It will be the first mission to send astronauts to the Gateway, currently scheduled for 2028. The astronauts will live and work in the Habitable and Logistics Outpost, currently scheduled to launch in 2025, and NASA aims to add a second habitable module before the first crewed mission arrives.
Related Stories:
—NASA’s vision of a lunar-orbiting space station comes to life in new 3D video
—Airbus unveils futuristic space station concept (photos)
—NASA, private companies confident in market demand for future space stations after ISS
The emergence of commercial space companies and the expansion of our horizons toward the moon may enable these companies to contribute to lunar exploration, lunar orbit and surface habitats, LEO technology, and lunar exploration.
“As we have seen with the expansion of the commercial space sector, I believe the future of commercial space stations will be one of greater flexibility, faster progress, and essentially a step toward removing the barriers that limit human activity in space,” Andrade said.
The next 25 years promise significant advances in space exploration, driven by the creativity and ambition of private companies. With the right support and levels of participation and interest, these will be the new orbital homes for research, innovation, business and international collaboration.