{"id":61335,"date":"2024-07-08T07:03:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T07:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/97645895-b891-406f-9ed1-26292c4814c6"},"modified":"2024-07-08T07:39:46","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T07:39:46","slug":"9-space-stations-of-the-future-that-will-carry-the-baton-once-the-international-space-station-is-deorbited","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/9-space-stations-of-the-future-that-will-carry-the-baton-once-the-international-space-station-is-deorbited\/","title":{"rendered":"9 space stations of the future that will carry the baton once the International Space Station is deorbited"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"> <\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By Sean Blair\n      <\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Monday, 08 July 2024 at 07:03 AM<\/p><hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p>The International Space Station can&#8217;t last forever, but since its first occupation in 2000, there has always been a crew of astronauts living and working in space.<\/p><p>NASA has already announced it has selected SpaceX to build the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/news\/deorbit-vehicle-international-space-station\">U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to safely deorbit the Space Station<\/a> around the year 2030, which means that soon the ISS will be no more.<\/p><p>So <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/space-missions\/replace-international-space-station\">what will replace the International Space Station<\/a>?<\/p><p>When the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/space-missions\/international-space-station-facts-history\">International Space Station<\/a> is deorbited, human access to low Earth orbit should go on uninterrupted.<\/p><p>Various space stations are in development, starting with one already in flight.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tiangong-space-station-china\"><strong>Tiangong space station (China)<\/strong><\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Artist&#8217;s impression of China&#8217;s Tiangong space station. Credit: Adrian Mann\/Stocktrek Images\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>The three-module permanently crewed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/space-missions\/tiangong-china-space-station\">Tiangong<\/a> is set to outlive the ISS. A space telescope module will eventually join it.<\/p><p><strong>FEASIBILITY: <\/strong>In orbit since April 2021 and planned to last at least a decade, China hopes the station will be a new hub for international cooperation post-ISS.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-axiom-space-station-usa\"><strong>Axiom space station (USA)<\/strong><\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/06\/axiom-space-station-1024x576.jpg?fit=800%2C450\" alt=\"Artist's impression of the Axiom Space Station. Credit: Axiom\" class=\"wp-image-158325\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Artist&#8217;s impression of the Axiom Space Station. Credit: Axiom<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>This four-module commercial station will be used for in-space manufacturing, experimentation and tourism.<\/p><p><strong>FEASIBILITY: <\/strong>Backed by a NASA Space Act Agreement (SAA), it\u2019s due to be built while docked to the ISS. The first two modules have been manufactured.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-orbital-reef-usa\"><strong>Orbital Reef (USA)<\/strong><\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/06\/orbital-reef-space-station-1024x773.jpg?fit=800%2C604\" alt=\"Artist's impression of the Orbital Reef Space Station. Credit: Blue Origin\" class=\"wp-image-158327\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Artist&#8217;s impression of the Orbital Reef Space Station. Credit: Blue Origin<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Led by Blue Origin and Sierra Space, this \u2018business park in space\u2019 is based on an expandable primary module.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>FEASIBILITY: <\/strong>Backed by a NASA SAA, to be launched by Blue Origin\u2019s New Glenn and served by Sierra Space\u2019s Dreamchaser spaceplane (both unflown).<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-starlab-usa\"><strong>Starlab (USA)<\/strong><\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/06\/starlab-space-station-1024x576.jpg?fit=800%2C450\" alt=\"Artist's impression of the Starlab space station. Credit: Starlab\" class=\"wp-image-158328\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Artist&#8217;s impression of the Starlab space station. Credit: Starlab<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Led by Nanoracks, Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin, a commercial station based around an inflatable main module and attached \u2018science park\u2019.<\/p><p><strong>FEASIBILITY: <\/strong>Backed by a NASA SAA. Nanoracks\u2019 Bishop airlock was the first commercial addition to the ISS. Due 2028.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-northrup-grumman-station-usa\"><strong>Northrup Grumman station (USA)<\/strong><\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/06\/Northrop-Grumman-space-station-1024x497.jpg?fit=800%2C388\" alt=\"Artist's impression of the Northrop Grumman space station\" class=\"wp-image-158330\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Artist&#8217;s impression of the Northrop Grumman space station<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>A three-module commercial station serving multiple sectors including microgravity research, in-space manufacturing and space tourism.<\/p><p><strong>FEASIBILITY:<\/strong> Backed by a NASA SAA, modules are to be based on the successful Cygnus craft. Stage 1 to launch late 2028.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-isro-space-station-india\"><strong>ISRO Space Station (India)<\/strong><\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/06\/GettyImages-1203348267.jpg\" alt=\"Model of the ISRO space station. Credit: Pallava Bagla\/Corbis via Getty Images\" class=\"wp-image-158332\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Model of the ISRO space station. Credit: Pallava Bagla\/Corbis via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Intended for 15\u201320-day stays, this single-module station at 400km will be serviced by crewed Gaganyaan spacecraft.<\/p><p><strong>FEASIBILITY:<\/strong> Russia is providing technical assistance, but Gaganyaan has yet to fly. The space station is planned for the mid 2030s.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-airbus-loop-europe\"><strong>Airbus LOOP (Europe)<\/strong><\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/06\/airbus-loop-1024x576.jpg?fit=800%2C450\" alt=\"Artist's impression showing the decks of the Airbus LOOP space station\" class=\"wp-image-158334\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Artist&#8217;s impression showing the decks of the Airbus LOOP space station<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>An 8m-diameter commercial single-module station with a spacious three-level design for long stays. Suitable for launch by Elon Musk\u2019s Starship.<\/p><p><strong>FEASIBILITY:<\/strong> Based on strong European technical heritage, but the project has no customer announced as yet.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-vast-space-station-usa\"><strong>Vast space station (USA)<\/strong><\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/06\/vast-space-station-1024x576.jpg?fit=800%2C450\" alt=\"Artist's impression of the VAST space station\" class=\"wp-image-158336\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Artist&#8217;s impression of the VAST space station<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Artificial-gravity habitats for space tourism and manufacturing, to be launched and serviced using SpaceX\u2019s Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon. From late 2025.<\/p><p><strong>FEASIBILITY:<\/strong> Backed by financier Jed McCaleb. Artificial gravity will make for<br\/>a less desirable test environment.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gateway-usa-europe-japan-canada\"><strong>Gateway (USA\/Europe\/Japan\/Canada)<\/strong><\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/10\/516706416658e32493502k-aee80d1.jpg\" alt=\"Artist's impression of NASA's Lunar Gateway in orbit around the Moon. Credit: NASA\/Alberto Bertolin\" class=\"wp-image-113073\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Artist&#8217;s impression of NASA&#8217;s Lunar Gateway in orbit around the Moon. Credit: NASA\/Alberto Bertolin<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>In lunar orbit, this five-module station will serve as a base camp on the way to the Moon\u2019s surface.<\/p><p><strong>FEASIBILITY: <\/strong>Needs SLS or Falcon Heavy launches. First module launches late 2025. NASA\u2019s Capstone CubeSat is currently trialling Gateway\u2019s elliptical orbit.<\/p><p><strong><em>This article appeared in the November 2023 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/em><\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Sean Blair Published: Monday, 08 July 2024 at 07:03 AM The International Space Station can&#8217;t last forever, but since its first occupation in 2000, there has always been a crew of astronauts living and working in space. NASA has already announced it has selected SpaceX to build the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to safely deorbit [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":61336,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"4"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/07\/9-space-stations-of-the-future-that-will-carry-the-baton-once-the-international-space-station-is-deorbited.jpg",1200,675,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/07\/9-space-stations-of-the-future-that-will-carry-the-baton-once-the-international-space-station-is-deorbited-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/07\/9-space-stations-of-the-future-that-will-carry-the-baton-once-the-international-space-station-is-deorbited-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/07\/9-space-stations-of-the-future-that-will-carry-the-baton-once-the-international-space-station-is-deorbited-768x432.jpg",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/07\/9-space-stations-of-the-future-that-will-carry-the-baton-once-the-international-space-station-is-deorbited-1024x576.jpg",800,450,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/07\/9-space-stations-of-the-future-that-will-carry-the-baton-once-the-international-space-station-is-deorbited.jpg",1200,675,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/07\/9-space-stations-of-the-future-that-will-carry-the-baton-once-the-international-space-station-is-deorbited.jpg",1200,675,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Sean Blair Published: Monday, 08 July 2024 at 07:03 AM The International Space Station can&#8217;t last forever, but since its first occupation in 2000, there has always been a crew of astronauts living and working in space. NASA has already announced it has selected SpaceX to build the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to safely deorbit&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/61335"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}