Nasa’s Ambitious Plans for Future Space Stations

NASA has been showcasing the advancements made in the development of new space stations that will eventually replace the current International Space Station (ISS).

The US Space Agency has emphasized the work of its three commercial space station partners - Axiom Space, Orbital Reef, and Starlab - in designing and developing potential new "orbital destinations".

"We are ending the year on a high note with multiple important milestones being completed by our partners," said Angela Hart, manager of the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program at NASA Johnson Space Center. "Over the past few months, we have been able to delve into the specifics of the hardware and processes of these stations and are moving forward to multiple comprehensive design reviews next year."

One of the partners, Axiom Space, is on track to launch and attach its first module, called Axiom Hab One, to the International Space Station in 2026. Axiom Space holds a contract with NASA and plans to have four modules attached to the Axiom Commercial Segment of the station. After the retirement of the ISS, the Axiom Commercial Segment will separate and become a free-flying commercial destination known as Axiom Station.

"The hatches of the Axiom Hab One module are fabricated and prepared to undergo pressure testing to ensure a strong enough seal to withstand the vacuum of space," writes NASA. "Manufacturing of the Axiom Hab One module is underway, and the critical design review will occur in 2024. During this review, NASA will assess the maturity of the Axiom Space design and provide feedback necessary to ensure safe operations when it is attached to the International Space Station."

Blue Origin, backed by Jeff Bezos, has also made progress in developing a free-flying space station called Orbital Reef. The company recently completed tests for a window system and a structural demonstration. The window system for Orbital Reef will incorporate multiple windows on its Core, each spanning about twice the size of a car windshield. Blue Origin evaluated the window integration structure design concept and its performance against the pressures and temperatures the windows will experience in orbit.

The third example of progress in the development of a new space station involves Starlab, a station being developed by Voyager Space's Exploration Segment in partnership with Airbus and Northrop Grumman. Voyager Space has recently achieved three milestones, including a system definition review and the initiation of two pairs of milestones for an optical link demonstration and an alternative urine processor demonstration.

"Free-space optical, also known as laser communications, allows for higher data rates and more energy-efficient communications than radio frequency communication systems. A major goal of the optical communication demonstration is to conduct testing from the International Space Station to the ground to establish the capabilities needed for Starlab. This initial milestone, within the optical link demonstration milestone pair scope, validated the Starlab testing plan. The optical link is planning to be tested next on the International Space Station," NASA explains.

The International Space Station is expected to be "deorbited" by a dedicated NASA spacecraft in 2031.

Image: Axiom Space - A hatch of the Axiom Hab One module, which will attach the module to the ISS.

Source: NASA

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