NASA is working with at least three companies designing a space station to replace the International Space Station, which is scheduled to deorbit in 2031.
“NASA can use these resources to explore the heavens, the Moon and Mars, then rent space on a commercial space station to conduct research and prepare astronauts for long-duration flights into space,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. “We’ve provided seed funding to help NASA jump-start the development of the space station.”
Although the cost to the U.S. government is a factor, Nelson believes the investment will pay off.
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“Without research and development, R&D, we would just be consuming and eating seed corn and not have what it takes to plant the crops that will supply what we want in the future. R&D is what allows us to have the advanced technology we have today,” Nelson said.
This handout provided by NASA shows the International Space Station as seen from NASA’s space shuttle Endeavour. NASA is working with at least three companies to design a space station to replace the International Space Station before it deorbits in 2031. (NASA via Getty Images)
Axiom Space is one of the companies building the next generation of space stations, building the pod that will be the first to be attached to the current International Space Station, and the company is sending private astronauts to the ISS in preparation for the first module to be added, scheduled for launch in 2026.
“Private astronauts will stay on the space station for a week or two and conduct scientific research. Once the astronauts come to the station, NASA is involved and they have to meet strict standards. They have to follow NASA rules and the commander of the private astronaut mission has to be a former NASA astronaut that we’ve approved,” Nelson said.
Once the International Space Station is decommissioned, the Axiom Station will detach and become an autonomous orbital platform.
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In this handout photo provided by NASA, STS-118 Mission Specialist Astronaut Rick Mastracchio participates in the mission’s third spacewalk planning session aboard the International Space Station. Once the space station is decommissioned, the Axiom station will detach and become an autonomous orbital platform. (NASA via Getty Images)
Blue Origin is also building a space station, and its Orbital Reef will be a mixed-use facility for researchers, entrepreneurs, and tourists. Nelson expects space tourism to grow as space activities expand.
“There have been private SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that have taken private citizens into space that are not associated with NASA. Of course, it’s the very wealthy who can afford it. There have been and there will be many more,” Nelson said.
Voyager’s STAR Lab will be sent into orbit as a single unit.
“We believe this will be the largest vehicle ever launched into space,” said Jeffrey Manber, president of the International Space Station for Voyager Space.
The International Space Station is seen orbiting Earth in this handout image provided by the European Space Agency and NASA, which is tapping private companies to help build the first lunar space station. (Paolo Nespoli – ESA/NASA via Getty Images)
Voyager is scheduled to launch in 2028. It will be equipped with a fully operational laboratory capable of conducting more than 400 experiments each year.
“This region known as low Earth orbit has been commercialized. There are dozens of companies, privately owned space stations being built, private rockets being launched every week. It’s a very exciting time,” Manber said.
NASA is also enlisting private companies to help build the first lunar space station. Maxar and Northrop Grumman are designing the two modules. SpaceX plans to put the Lunar Gateway station into orbit sometime after 2025. Operations could begin as soon as 2028.
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“In the future, as we move further into space, we’re going to be sending out astronauts, star sailors who will be sailing the oceans of space to faraway space shores,” Nelson said. “That’s going to be exciting for everybody, and I get to experience that every day.”
