Tag

Space Stations

All articles tagged with #space stations

technology4 days ago•7 min saved

The Wheel That Wasn’t: A Century of Rotating Space Station Concepts

The article surveys the long-running fascination with rotating, gravity-generating space stations—from early ideas by Oberth and Noordung to mid‑century experiments (Convair’s MARS, TASSEL/MTSS, Olympus, MOL) and the Soviet‑era Salyut/Almaz programs—progressing through docking milestones and into the modular, non‑rotating habitats of Skylab and Mir. Despite serious engineering interest in artificial gravity, the cost and practicality kept wheels from becoming reality, so rotating stations remained theoretical while non‑rotating, modular stations became the practical path forward. The piece closes by echoing the irony that the “wheel” concept has persisted as history’s curiosity rather than a future reality.

via Hackaday|

#artificial-gravity #docking #nasa

space5 months ago•37 min saved

Bezos envisions a trillion humans living in space to spark breakthroughs

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said on the Lex Fridman Podcast that he would love to see a trillion humans living in the solar system, with giant rotating space stations capable of hosting cities, farms, and industry. He argues more people could drive breakthroughs—“1,000 Mozarts and 1,000 Einsteins”—and emphasizes moving beyond planetary surfaces while Earth remains a protected base. The plan centers on reducing the cost of getting materials into space (via Blue Origin and related efforts) to enable this long‑term expansion, though no timeline is provided.

via yahoo.com|

#blue-origin #jeff-bezos #solar-system

technology5 months ago•12 min saved

A New Orbit: Replacing the ISS With Moon-Targeted Space Stations

As the International Space Station nears retirement around 2030, global space agencies and commercial players are pursuing a crowded array of successors: NASA/ESA/CSA/JAXA’s Lunar Gateway around the Moon, China’s planned Tiangong expansion, Russia’s shift to reusing ISS modules as the Russian Orbital Station, and India’s Bharatiya Antariksh Station, with timelines extending to 2035 and beyond. The ISS’s aging hardware and health concerns spur these plans, while a growing slate of science, exploration, and commercial missions edge orbital activity closer to the Moon and beyond. A Part II on commercial concepts is promised.

via Universe Today|

#iss #lunar-gateway #russian-orbital-station

technology7 months ago•2 min saved

Former NASA Astronaut Joins Vast as Haven-1 Integration Advances, Launch Slips to 2027

Vast has hired former NASA astronaut Megan McArthur as an astronaut adviser to support Haven-1’s development, joining a cadre of ex-astronauts guiding the project. Haven-1 has begun integration in Long Beach with systems and avionics work, interior outfitting, and exterior shielding. The launch has shifted from mid-2026 to the first quarter of 2027, as the company emphasizes safety and maturation of its design, manufacturing, testing, and operations for future stations.

via SpaceNews|

#commercial-spaceflight #haven-1 #megan-mcarthur

science11 months ago•4 min saved

NASA to Depart ISS by 2030, Paving the Way for Commercial Space Stations

NASA plans to deorbit the International Space Station by 2030, ending a 25-year streak of continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit, and will transition to commercial space stations developed by private companies, while continuing space research and international collaboration.

via The Conversation|

#international-space-station #low-earth-orbit #nasa

science11 months ago•4 min saved

NASA Advocates for Commercial Space Stations Amid ISS Closure Plans

NASA plans to deorbit the ISS in 2030 without a direct replacement, but is fostering private sector involvement through programs like Axiom Space, which aims to build a new commercial space station, potentially ensuring continued human presence in low Earth orbit beyond the ISS's retirement.

via Space|

#axiom-space #international-space-station #nasa

space-exploration1 year ago•1 min saved

Exploring the Unrealized Potential of Project Gemini

The article explores ambitious and innovative concepts for Project Gemini that were considered but never realized, including space station supply craft, lunar landing, and rescue missions, offering a fascinating glimpse into an alternate path of space exploration history.

via Hackaday|

#moon-missions #nasa #project-gemini

space-exploration1 year ago•2 min saved

NASA Overhauls Space Station Plans Amid Congressional Debate

NASA is overhauling its plans to replace the ISS with a privately-operated station, lowering capability requirements and shifting to a less expensive, more flexible approach due to budget constraints, aiming for a more achievable timeline and increased commercial partnerships.

via Gizmodo|

#budget-cuts #commercial-space #international-space-station

space1 year ago•2 min saved

ISS and China's Tiangong Space Station to Meet in the Sky This Week

The article compares the International Space Station and China's Tiangong Space Station, highlighting their features, purpose, and the impressive ability of Maxar Technologies' satellites to capture detailed images of these fast-moving structures from space.

via Space|

#iss #maxar-technologies #satellite-imagery

space-exploration2 years ago•4 min saved

"NASA Pays SpaceX $843M to Deorbit ISS Amid Controversy"

NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to safely deorbit the International Space Station by 2030. SpaceX is also involved in launching new space stations for various companies, ensuring continued low-Earth-orbit research. While SpaceX is not publicly traded, its involvement boosts the value of other companies like Airbus, which is part of the Starlab team.

via The Motley Fool|

#elon-musk #international-space-station #nasa

space-exploration2 years ago•4 min saved

"Iconic Architectural Marvel Set for Dismantling: Future Uncertain"

The International Space Station (ISS), a symbol of international cooperation and human exploration, will be decommissioned by 2030. Future space stations will be privately owned, with NASA as a key customer. This shift marks the end of an era of government-led space collaboration, raising concerns about the loss of continuous human presence in space and the unique international partnerships the ISS fostered.

via Inverse|

#iss #nasa #private-companies

space-technology2 years ago•4 min saved

"Max Space Reveals Plans for Stadium-Sized Inflatable Space Stations"

Max Space, a startup, plans to develop inflatable modules for space stations and other applications, with the first module scheduled to launch on a SpaceX mission in 2025. The company's expandable modules are designed to be larger and less expensive than alternatives, with a focus on scalability and cost-effectiveness. Max Space aims to supply modules to other companies developing commercial space stations and is currently focused on developing the technology, having raised a "sub-$10 million" seed round to fund the initial module's development and launch.

via SpaceNews|

#commercial-space #expandable-modules #max-space

gaming2 years ago•1 min saved

"No Man's Sky's Orbital Update: Revamped Space Stations and Ship Editor Unveiled"

No Man's Sky's 27th major update, Orbital, is set to revamp the game's space stations, making them vast, diverse, and customizable, while also introducing a spaceship editor for players to gather and trade parts. The update also includes a new Guild system and the ability to send frigate fleets on missions. Developer Hello Games is also working on a new project called Light No Fire, while continuing to improve No Man's Sky features.

via Eurogamer.net|

#gaming #hello-games #no-mans-sky

space-exploration2 years ago•8 min saved

"NASA's Latest Astronauts: Preparing for Moon Missions and Private Space Stations"

NASA's new astronaut candidates, including Jack Hathaway and Jessica Wittner, are excited about upcoming missions to the moon, lunar space stations, and commercial space stations. They are prepared for challenges such as technical delays and budget constraints, and are eager to contribute their skills to space exploration. The astronauts are looking forward to participating in the Artemis program and are enthusiastic about the opportunities for human spaceflight and exploration.

via Space.com|

#artemis-program #astronauts #moon-missions

space2 years ago•3 min saved

"NASA Grants $100 Million for Private Space Stations"

NASA has awarded nearly $100 million in additional funding to commercial space station partners, including Blue Origin and Voyager Space, to develop concepts for a new orbiting lab as part of the space agency's Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations program. The funding will be used for various development milestones focused on operations, assembly, integration, testing, and technology maturation, as well as upgrading Northrop Grumman's Cygnus cargo spacecraft to enable it to dock directly with the new space stations. These efforts aim to ensure a smooth transition from the International Space Station to commercial destinations and support training, research, and testing in low Earth orbit.

via Space.com|

#blue-origin #commercial-space #low-earth-orbit