Category Archives: Space Settlement

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – Oct.4.2024

Here is a new selection of videos, articles, and news items about space habitats (govt. and commercial), living in space, and space settlement.

=== International Space Station & NASA

** Space to Ground: Crew-9: Oct. 04, 2024 – NASA Johnson

** Docking confirmed! NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 arrives at space station – VideoFromSpace

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 docked with the International Space Station at 5:30pm ET on Sept. 29, 2024. Aboard the Dragon spacecraft were NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexsandr Gorbunov

** NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 enters space station after docking – VideoFromSpace

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexsandr Gorbunov completed ingress into the International Space Station a few hours after docking on Sept. 29, 2024.

** NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8: Science, Innovation, and Discovery – NASA

NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matthew Dominick, and Jeanette Epps and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin are returning to Earth after several months aboard the International Space Station conducting scientific experiments and technology demonstrations for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission.

Here’s a look at some scientific milestones accomplished during their mission: https://go.nasa.gov/3Bmlkv2

** How Do Astronauts Drink Coffee in Space? – NASA Johnson

Sometimes coffee IS out of this world! Whether it’s sipping from the space cup or through a drink bag, learn how astronauts enjoy a cup of joe aboard the International Space Station.

** Additional Views of Hurricane Helene from the International Space Station – Sept. 26, 2024 – NASA Video

Cameras on the International Space Station captured views of Hurricane Helene at 2:25 p.m. EDT September 26 as it approached the Gulf coast of Florida packing winds in excess of 120 miles an hour. The National Hurricane Center forecast called for Helene to continue to strengthen before it makes landfall along the Big Bend region of Florida, then traverses up western Georgia and the Tennessee Valley.

** Live Views of Hurricane Helene from the International Space Station – Thursday, September 26, 2024 – NASA Video

Cameras on the International Space Station captured views of Hurricane Helene at 12:50 p.m. EDT September 26 as it approached the Gulf coast of Florida packing winds in excess of 100 miles an hour. The National Hurricane Center forecast called for Helene to strengthen into a major hurricane before it makes landfall along the Big Bend region of Florida, before moving inland as it traverses up western Georgia and the Tennessee Valley.

** International Space Station: Humanity’s Lab in Space (Narrated by Adam Savage)- NASA

Orbiting more than 200 miles (320 km) above Earth, the International Space Station is a powerhouse of cutting-edge science that is unlocking discoveries not possible on Earth. We’re testing technologies that are critical to our return to the Moon and contributing to medical and social breakthroughs that improve life on our home planet.

After more than two decades of results, we continue to inspire future generations from a platform that is one of the largest international collaborations of our time.

Learn more about the research being conducted on station: https://www.nasa.gov/iss-science
Follow updates on the science conducted aboard the space station: https://x.com/iss_research

=== Commercial space habitats

** Updates on NASA’s program to support commercial space stations:

** Axiom Space

— Members of Axiom’s 4th crew mission to the ISS begin training for next year’s flight: Ax-4 Training Underway, Assigned Crew Gears Up for Historic Mission | Axiom Space

In August, Axiom Space welcomed a diverse group of astronauts as they arrived to begin preparations and training for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). This mission, set to launch no earlier than spring 2025, marks another significant step in commercial human spaceflight, bringing together astronauts from different corners of the globe to work toward a common goal: advancing human progress in space.

The assigned Ax-4 crew consisting of Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański from Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary, arrived in Houston with a mix of excitement and determination. Their journey began at Axiom Space headquarters, where they underwent a comprehensive onboarding process. This included familiarization with the mission objectives, safety protocols, state-of-the-art facilities at Axiom Space, and dedicated mission teams who will support them throughout the mission.

During the first month of training, the assigned crew traveled to SpaceX in Hawthorne, Calif., for suit measurements and pressurization tests. They began familiarizing themselves with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 launch vehicle ahead of additional training they’ll receive that includes orbital mechanics, operating in microgravity, emergency preparedness, spacesuit and spacecraft ingress and egress exercises, as well as partial and full mission simulations. Additionally, the crew visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center to get acquainted with the training facilities where they will spend significant time preparing for their mission.

** Max Space – Expandable Space Habitats

** RedPlanetLive — Kirsten Whittingham – Red Planet Live by the Mars Society – YouTube

Get ready for an exciting episode of Red Planet Live! Tune in on Tuesday, September 3rd (5pm PT / 8pm ET) for an in-depth conversation with Kirsten Whittingham, President of Max Space and a distinguished veteran in the aerospace industry. With her extensive experience and leadership in pioneering space projects, Kirsten will share insights and discuss the innovative advancements at Max Space.

** VAST

**Haven Demo Battery – VAST Youtube

At Vast, we’re designing, manufacturing, and assembling our battery packs in-house for Haven Demo and Haven-1, ensuring every step—from cell screening to pack assembly and testing—meets the highest safety and performance standards. These batteries will power our space station through day/night solar cycles every ~90 minutes in orbit.

Vast’s battery modules are recharged by our Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT), which extract energy from our solar arrays very efficiently. Our Battery Management Systems (BMS) give us real-time insight into the battery’s capabilities and allow our systems to make decisions based on the battery’s state.

** Starlab – Voyager Space

— The Bishop Airlock was funded and built by Voyager Space and has been operational on the ISS since 2020:

=== Chinese space habitats

** Chinese Astronauts Capture Stunning Views of Hometowns from Space – CCTV Video News Agency

The Shenzhou-18 crew members on board China’s orbiting space station Tiangong captured stunning views of their hometowns from space, offering viewers a unique perspective of the nation’s diverse landscapes.

** CNSA’s Lunar Spacesuit – SciNews

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) unveiled its extravehicular activity suit designed for lunar exploration on 28 September 2024.

More about the lunar suit: China unveils lunar spacesuit for crewed moon mission | SpaceNews – Sept.29.2024

** Shenzhou-18 Crew Share Progress on Self-Sustaining Fish Ecosystem in Space – CCTV Video News Agency

China’s Shenzhou-18 crew have been carefully watching a small aquarium of fish in a novel experiment aboard the country’s space station that the astronauts said is going smoothly.

=== Lunar habitation

** NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) approve next phase in development of the Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module for a lunar base: NASA Greenlights Next Phase of Italian Lunar Habitat Project | European Spaceflight – Sept.20.2024

A NASA review board has given the Italian space agency the green light to move ahead with the development of its MPH lunar surface habitat.

ASI and NASA signed an agreement in 2022 that saw the Italian space agency take the lead on the design of the Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module. MPH is designed to act as a home base on the lunar surface to extend a crewed mission to the Moon or as a refuge in case of emergency.

Background info:

** Mega Scale Prop Production, with Saurav Shroff (CEO of Starpath) – Payload

The cost to build a mass scale propellant production system on the Moon? Much less than $100M according to Starpath cofounder and CEO Saurav Shroff. The LA-based startup is developing the infrastructure for lunar resource extraction—including a power plant, a fleet of rovers, and a processing plant.

In this episode, Saurav breaks down Starpath’s approach to off-planet fuel production and how it can enable cost-effective and reusable space travel. He also shares his thoughts on the future of lunar and Martian colonization and how propellant production plays a pivotal role in making interplanetary travel economically viable.

We also discuss:

– The technical hurdles of producing propellant on the Moon and Mars
– The impact of propellant production on reducing the cost of space travel
– The potential customers and business models
– How Starpath’s approach complements the vision of companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin
– The long-term vision for a human presence on the Moon and Mars, and what it will take to get there

And much more…

Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:25 – What is Startpath?
04:11 – How was Starpath founded?
07:28 – The team
08:55 – Starpath with and without SpaceX
13:20 – Mega scale propellant production
16:30 – What type of propellant is Starpath making?
20:15 – What is Starpath building?
24:56 – Why build this power system yourself and why not nuclear?
28:56 – Plant & Rover
35:35 – Plan for success
39:59 – Speculation on SpaceX’s propellant production
43:49 – Who else is a potential customer?
45:49 – Revenue model
48:27 – Investors and common misconceptions
50:26 – Capital needs
51:43 – Competitors? China?
54:37 – First fuel production prediction
56:03 – 10-year vision
58:16 – Other businesses Saurav is excited about
1:00:17 – Which celebrity will play Saurav?

=== Mars habitation

** SpaceX aims for missions to Mars starting with uncrewed Starship flights in 2026:

**Jared Issacman comments on response to Elon Musk’s Mars plan:

=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:

=== Earth views from ISS

** Highlight: San Diego CA Tijuana MX – Las Vegas NV – Grand Canyon – Sep 25 2024 14:40 PDT – ISS Above

** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA

Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.

The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8

Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov

====

ISS after undocking of STS-132

=== Amazon Ads ===

Lego Ideas International Space Station
21321 Toy Blocks, Present, Space, Boys, Girls, Ages 16 and Up

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Outpost in Orbit:
A Pictorial & Verbal History of the Space Station

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – Sept.20.2024

Here is this week’s selection of videos, articles, and news items concerning space habitats (govt and commercial), living in space, and space settlement.

=== International Space Station & NASA

** Space to Ground: Sunita in Charge: Sept. 20, 2024 – NASA Johnson

** NASA’s Starliner astronauts talk about watching their ride leave ISS without them – VideoFromSpace

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore talk about Starliner’s return trip and requesting an absentee ballot for the US election in November. Watch Starliner land: https://www.space.com/boeing-starline…

** Tracy C. Dyson Powers Space Station Research – NASA Johnson

NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson is returning home after a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. While on orbit, Dyson conducted an array of experiments and technology demonstrations that contribute to advancements for humanity on Earth and the agency’s trajectory to the Moon and Mars. Here is a look at some of the science Dyson conducted during her mission: https://go.nasa.gov/4euV5kt

** NASA Aatronaut Discusses Life in Space with KCRA-TV, Sacramento – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 71 Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Sept. 20 with KCRA-TV. Dyson is in the midst of a long-duration mission aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.

=== Commercial space habitats

** Updates on NASA’s transition from ISS to commercial space stations – Laura Forczyk

The International Space Station will soon be deorbited, and NASA is preparing to rely on commercial space stations, or commercial LEO destinations. In today’s NASA Advisory Council’s Human Exploration and Operations Committee meeting, NASA gave various updates on avoiding a gap in LEO, salvaging ISS items, the ISS deorbit timeline, the future of NASA microgravity research, and more.

** Axiom Space

— Axiom runs into financial turbulence: A key NASA commercial partner faces severe financial challenges | Ars Technica – Sept.17.2024

Axiom Space is facing significant financial headwinds as the company attempts to deliver on two key commercial programs for NASA—the development of a private space station in low-Earth orbit and spacesuits that could one day be worn by astronauts on the Moon.

Forbes reports that Axiom Space, which was founded by billionaire Kam Ghaffarian and NASA executive Mike Suffredini in 2016, has been struggling to raise money to keep its doors open and has had difficulties meeting its payroll dating back to at least early 2023. In addition, the Houston-based company has fallen behind on payments to key suppliers, including Thales Alenia Space for its space station and SpaceX for crewed launches.

— Progress on construction of Axiom’s first space habitat:

— Spacious habitat interiors:

** Sierra Space

–— Sierra updates NASA on progress with the projects (unfunded) carried out under the Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities-2 initiative (CCSC-2) :

Sierra’s CCSC-2 activities were described by NASA as follows:

Sierra Space is collaborating with NASA for the development of the company’s commercial low Earth orbit ecosystem, including next-generation space transportation, in-space infrastructure, and expandable and tailorable space facilities providing a human presence in low Earth orbit.

— Lunar oxygen production system demonstrated: Sierra Space Unveils Breakthrough Technology Designed to Extract Oxygen from Lunar Soil, Enabling Sustainable Human Presence on the Moon | Sierra Space – Sept.17.2024

Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and defense tech prime that is Building a Platform in Space to Benefit Life on Earth®, announced today the company’s proprietary Carbothermal Oxygen Production Reactor has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, heralding the first time in history that oxygen has been extracted from simulated lunar soil, or regolith, using an automated, standalone system in a lunar environment. The technology, when scaled up, is designed to produce oxygen in bulk to support one of the primary objectives of NASA’s Artemis program: establishing the first long-term presence on the moon.

“The Apollo program took us to the moon to study and learn. Artemis is taking us back to the moon, this time to stay,” said Tom Vice, CEO of Sierra Space. “Our company is focused on building the infrastructure necessary to enable continuous human presence on the lunar surface. This sustainable future begins with developing the core technology and systems that create oxygen in that environment, using local natural resources.”

Sierra Space test engineers spent two weeks in August operating the company’s oxygen extraction system inside a thermal vacuum chamber at Johnson, working with lunar regolith simulant in an environment the hardware would recognize as similar to the water-ice-laden south pole region of the moon. Under lunar temperatures and pressures, the Sierra Space system executed all of the regolith handling steps and performed the carbothermal reduction reaction that extracts oxygen from minerals in the regolith simulant.

This disruptive innovation, a system developed at Sierra Space’s facilities in Madison, Wisconsin, represents a major leap forward in enabling long-term human habitation on the moon and future space exploration endeavors. …

** VAST

— Interview with VAST CEO Max Haot:

** SpaceX and Polaris project

— SpaceX Polaris Dawn spacewalk! See the first-ever private egress from crew – VideoFromSpace

SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission conducted the first-ever private spacewalk on Sept. 12, 2024. Full Story: https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-…

During the spacewalk (also known as an extravehicular activity, or EVA), Polaris Dawn crewmembers Jared Isaacman (seen here) and Sarah Gillis exited their fully depressurized Crew Dragon spacecraft in specially-designed SpaceX spacesuits.

— SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew’s on-orbit event! Experiments explained + spacewalk time-lapse – VideoFromSpace

The Polaris Dawn crew Jared Isaacman, Scott “Kidd” Poteet, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon explain the experiments conducted during the mission. Also, see a time-lapse of Isaacman’s spacewalk.

=== Chinese space habitats

** Chinese astronauts conduct experiments and more on Tiangong space station – VideoFromSpace

China’s Shenzhou-18 crew is seen conducting experiments and maintenance on the Tiangong space station.

=== Lunar habitation

 ** Lunar Development Conference Videos | The Moon Society

A selection of videos of presentations and panel discussions at the Moon Society‘s recent online conference has been posted. For example:

** Explore NASA’s lunar orbital Gateway habitat with 3D app: Gateway Space Station in 3D | NASA – Sept.11.2024

=== Space habitat technologies

** TESSERAE: Self-Assembling Prototypes — Aurelia Institute

Artist’s animation of a futuristic TESSERAE habitat that self-assembles in orbit, forms a multi-module space station, and can also be transported to the surface. Based on the real-life research project out of the MIT Space Exploration Initiative and Dr. Ariel Ekblaw’s PhD Thesis. To learn more: tesserae.arielekblaw.com

TESSERAE (Tessellated Electromagnetic Space Structures for the Exploration of Reconfigurable, Adaptive Environments). The name and nature of the structure hearken to the small, colored tiles used in Roman mosaics, where many standard pieces, or “tesserae,” interlock to create the image. We make this reference to ancient history, while designing an artifact of our space exploration future, to tie architectural elements together across scales and across millennia.

Rendering courtesy of TU Dortmund Fraunhofer Institute as part of a collaboration with MIT Media Lab SEI. Collaborator credit: Aswin Karthik Ramachandran Venkatapathy. Artist credit: David Knozowski.

See also A futuristic space habitat will touch down in Seattle in new exhibit at Museum of Flight | GeekWire – Sept.10.2024

** Metal 3-D Printing in microgravity:

See also: Metal Part 3D Printed in Space for the First Time | Universe Today – Sept.19.2024

=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:

=== Earth views from ISS

** Highlight: Soyuz MS-26 19:19z Sep 11 2024 – ISS Above

NASA EHDC6 Live views of the Earth from the International Space Station

** Highlight: Brazil – Aug 31 2024 10:03 BRT – ISS Above

* Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA

Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.

The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8

Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov

====

ISS after undocking of STS-132

=== Amazon Ads ===

Lego Ideas International Space Station
21321 Toy Blocks, Present, Space, Boys, Girls, Ages 16 and Up

====

Outpost in Orbit:
A Pictorial & Verbal History of the Space Station

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – Aug.24.2024

Here is a new selection of videos, updates, and articles about space habitats (govt. and commercial), living in space, and space settlement.

=== International Space Station & NASA

** The parking lot is packed at the ISS:

** Progress 89 Cargo Ship Docking – Saturday, August 17,2024 – NASA Video

The uncrewed Roscosmos ISS Progress 89 cargo spacecraft docked to the Zvezda module August 17 after launching to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan August 14 on a Soyuz booster rocket. Progress is filled with over three tons of supplies and cargo and will remain docked to the space station for approximately six months.

** NASA’s Northrop Grumman 21st Cargo Resupply Services Rendezvous and Capture- Tuesday, August 6, 2024 – NASA Video

Loaded with food, fuel, and supplies, the unpiloted Northrop Grumman CRS-21 Cygnus cargo craft arrived to the International Space Station August 6 where it was installed to the nadir port of the Unity module. Dubbed the “SS Richard ‘Dick’ Scobee” for the late NASA astronaut who perished during the Challenger accident, Cygnus launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on August 4 atop an SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and will remain docked to the space station for approximately six months.

** NASA’s Northrop Grumman 21st Cargo Resupply Services Installation – Tuesday, August 6, 2024 – NASA Video

Loaded with food, fuel, and supplies, the unpiloted Northrop Grumman CRS-21 Cygnus cargo craft arrived to the International Space Station August 6 where it was installed to the nadir port of the Unity module. Dubbed the “SS Richard ‘Dick’ Scobee” for the late NASA astronaut who perished during the Challenger accident, Cygnus launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on August 4 atop an SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and will remain docked to the space station for approximately six months.

** Many questions remain with NASA’s plan to deorbit ISS with SpaceX – Laura Forczyk

SpaceX is building a Dragon-modified deorbit vehicle to send the International Space Station into the ocean. But many questions remain, such as the exact timeline, the budget, the salvaged materials, the transition to commercial space stations, and more.

** ISSRDC 2024 Day2 Fireside Chat: Technology Development on the ISS and Future LEO Platforms – ISS National Lab

During this session, launch providers and implementation partners that support the International Space Station Program highlighted the challenges and successes of launching projects to low Earth orbit (LEO), and highlighted some of the recent investigations they supported. This panel discussed the level of detail required behind the scenes to support a project or launch, while showcasing the diversity of experimentation taking place on this space station, and how the work supported now sets the foundation for research on future R&D platforms in LEO.

=== Commercial space habitats

** Overviews of commercial space stations:

— Looking ahead to the next 25 years of private space stations | Space.com – July.18.2024

“In the short term, commercial space stations are an essential next step to fill the void left by the impending decommissioning of the ISS,” said Lauren Andrade, a spokesperson for the Beyond Earth Institute. “Beyond that, commercial space stations offer a flexibility and capital that government-run projects simply do not possess.”

— Companies prepare next generation of space stations for orbit | Fox News – July.5.2024

NASA is working with at least three companies that are designing space stations to replace the International Space Station before it de-orbits in 2031.

“NASA can utilize those resources in our exploration of the heavens, back to the moon and on to Mars. Then we can rent space on a commercial space station to do our research, to prepare our astronauts for longer flights out into the cosmos,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson said. “We’ve given them seed money so that they can jump start developing space stations.”

The cost to the U.S. government is a factor, but Nelson believes the investment will pay off.

** Axiom Space

— Axiom CEO resigns post and joins board of directors:  Axiom Space CEO Transitions to Board of Directors | Axiom Space – Aug.6.2024

Axiom Space today announced the transition of CEO Mike Suffredini to a position on the company’s Board of Directors, following eight years of leading the company to significant achievements in the space industry.

— Fourth Axiom mission to the ISS on a SpaceX Dragon space ship to feature multi-national crew:

Axiom Space has announced that it is partnering with India, through the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Poland, with European Space Agency (ESA) support and Hungary to send three national astronauts to the International Space Station on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), the company’s next commercial human spaceflight mission to the orbiting laboratory.

— The critical design review is the key final step before starting construction of the operational hardware:

— Axiom space suit news: Axiom Space and Nokia Partner to Enable High-Speed Cellular Network Capabilities in Next-Gen Lunar Spacesuits | Axiom Space – Aug.21.2024

Axiom Space has partnered with Nokia to integrate advanced 4G/LTE communication capabilities into the next-generation spacesuits that will be used for the Artemis III lunar mission.

Together, Nokia and Axiom Space will incorporate high-speed cellular-network capabilities in the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), supporting HD video, telemetry data and voice transmission over multiple kilometers on the Moon. This advancement will enable Artemis III crewmembers to capture real-time video and communicate with mission controllers on Earth while they explore the lunar surface.

— Axiom takes Alexa to space: Axiom Space and AWS Demonstrate AI Assistant On Orbit | Axiom Space – Aug.23.2024

In some cases, spacecraft operate in relative isolation, devoid of direct human interaction and decision-making. However, by integrating virtual assistants, we can revolutionize a spacecraft’s architecture and functionality. As humanity ventures farther from Earth, our reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) assistants will inevitably grow. Axiom Space, in collaboration with Amazon and Amazon Web Services (AWS), envisions a future where spacecraft interact with humans as seamlessly as humans interact with each other. A significant step in this direction occurred during Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), where Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant underwent a technology demonstration. During Ax-3, Axiom Space tested Alexa on an Amazon Echo device on the ground before flying it to the International Space Station (ISS) for evaluation. This milestone represents a crucial step toward creating “Earth-independent” AI assistants capable of supporting astronauts during future Mars missions.

** Gravitics

— Space Station Foundations, with Colin Doughan (Gravitics) – Payload

This week’s Pathfinder features Colin Doughan, CEO of Gravitics, a Seattle-based startup that specializes in the development of modular space infrastructure to support the expansion of stations and orbital platforms. Their primary product is the StarMax module, which can be customized in various sizes to accommodate different launch vehicles and mission requirements.
Colin shares his journey into the aerospace industry and his vision for building real estate platforms in space. With a background that includes nearly 20 years at Lockheed Martin and founding Altius Space Machines (acquired by Voyager), Colin brings a considerable amount of experience in infrastructure development.

We explore:
– The approach Gravitics takes in developing scalable station modules
– The market potential for free-flying stations and the impact of new launch vehicle capabilities
– Operator vs builder model in space stations
– Challenges in scaling manufacturing and testing for space environments
– The future of artificial gravity and its importance for long-term space habitation

And much more…

• Chapters •
00:00 – Intro & Epsilon ad
02:04 – Colin’s background
03:23 – Colin’s first business venture
04:02 – Why start a space station business?
05:25 – Evolution of the Gravitics’s vision
06:57 – Zero G modules
07:36 – Business model
08:26 – Why not operate modules?
10:04 – How do you perceive the market opportunity for free-flying space stations?
18:19 – Design decisions
22:25 – Turning a competitor into a customer
25:02 – Gravitics’s approach vs existing providers
26:14 – Is there enough capital and investors to sustain this market?
30:26 – Countries creating their own launch capabilities
33:24 – StarMax
35:44 – Insourcing vs outsourcing
36:52 – Scaling manufacturing
40:05 – Testing
42:50 – Technical challengers that keep Colin up at night
44:42 – Commercial and government traction
48:34 – Long-term view
50:09 – ETA for Elysium?
50:35 – Who’s going to play Colin in the future movie about Gravitics?

** Sierra Space 

— Burst test of full scale expandable habitat module validates design goals: Sierra Space Heralds Giant Leap in Microgravity Research and Manufacturing with Historic Test of Expandable Space Station Technology | Sierra Space – July.25.2024

Sierra says

that its expandable space station technology successfully passed a seventh key validation test, and second full-scale structural test, at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The results herald a giant leap towards building the world’s first end-to-end business and technology platform in Low Earth Orbit, enabling humanity to find the answers to some of the toughest problems faced on Earth.

Completion of the successful Ultimate Burst Pressure test, which occurred on June 18 in collaboration with ILC Dover (an Ingersoll Rand Business) and NASA, accelerates Sierra Space’s revolutionary softgoods technology towards on-orbit operations. Planned for an initial stand-alone pathfinder mission before the end of the decade, the technology will also feature as a key element of the Orbital Reef commercial space station. The test will close out Milestone #8 for Orbital Reef with Blue Origin under NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program. 

Some data for the test:

    • Company’s second Ultimate Burst Pressure test of a full-size, inflatable space station structure occurred on June 18
    • Test unit stood over 20’ tall and was comparable in size to an average family home
    • The article was 300 m³ in volume, or 1/3rd the volume of the International Space Station
    • Test results exceeded NASA’s recommended x4 safety levels by 22%
    • Two 4-ft x 4-ft steel blanking plates were integrated into the highest loaded cylinder section of the article; both were 50 lbs. lighter than the ones used in the first full-scale test and accommodate larger windows

The test article in the company’s historic first full-scale burst test last December peaked at 77 psi, which well exceeded (+27%) NASA’s recommended level of 60.8 psi (maximum operating pressure of 15.2 psi multiplied by a safety factor of four). This most recent test in June showed similar results – within five percent of the pressure loading of December’s test article – with this one reaching 74 psi, exceeding NASA’s 4x safety factor by 22 percent. These back-to-back test results accelerate Sierra Space’s path to flight certification, verifying scalability for 10 cubic-meter and up to 1,400 cubic-meter structures based on the company’s current softgoods inflatable architecture. Sierra Space is currently gearing up for a first test of its 500 cubic-meter space station technology next year.

— Advancing Next-Gen Space Station Tech with Sierra Space and NASA – Sierra Space Youtube

** Vast

— Vast testing habitat components:

— Vast news:

** Starlab – Voyager Space

An artist’s rendering of a Starlab space station. Credits: Starlab

— Starlab – Sizzle Reel – Summer 2024 – Voyager Space on Vimeo

— The Power of Microgravity – Jim Bridenstine – Voyager Space on Vimeo

— Starlab: the most international commercial space station – Laura Forczyk

Among the current commercial space station players, Starlab is the most intentionally international, forming partnerships all over the world. Will this help the small upcoming space station become profitable and sustainable? Other commercial space station companies should take note.

** Max Space – Expandable Space Habitats

— Space Café Radio Frontiers – How expandable structures will become a game changer in space – SpaceWatch.Global

Innovating Space with Expandable Architecture: An Interview with Max Space”s Aaron Kemmer and Maxim de Jong

Join Torsten Kriening, Publisher at SpaceWatch.Global, in an enlightening conversation with Maxim de Jong and Aaron Kemmer from Max Space. Delve into the groundbreaking technologies behind expandable and inflatable space structures, their applications, and the future of real estate in space. Learn about Max Space’s mission to maximize usable space in orbit, from initial small modules to potentially vast habitats in space and on the Moon. This episode explores the challenges and innovations in creating habitable volumes for long-term human presence beyond Earth.

— Outline of the Max Space plan:

=== Chinese space habitats

** Shenzhou-18 Crew Carry Out Various Experiments in Orderly Manner – CCTV Video News Agency

The Shenzhou-18 crew, who began their six-month mission on April 25, have carried out various space science experiments as scheduled.

** China’s Plan to Establish a Permanent Base on the Moon – Dongfang Hour – YouTube

While the US and its partners are planning to carry out the Artemis Program in the coming decade, China is preparing the competing “ILRS”, aka the International Lunar Research Station. In this episode, we do a deep dive into China’s permanent lunar base project and its scientific and political ramifications. …

00:00 Artemis and the ILRS (introduction)
00:43 China’s Moon Program: Early Beginnings
01:58 Chang’e 1 to Chang’e 6
02:35 First Mention of the ILRS
03:21 Private Internet Access
05:14 The ILRS Becomes a Sino-Russian Project
06:02 ILRS Phase 1 – Moon Base “Basic Model”
06:57 ILRS Phase 2 – Moon Base “Construction Phase”
10:09 How China plans to launch the ILRS hardware
11:20 Can the ILRS become international?

=== Lunar habitation

** Our Water-Based Lunar Architecture – Lockheed-Martin Youtube channel

Science fiction is becoming reality. The Artemis program is taking us back to the Moon, and this time we’ll establish a presence that will eventually take us farther into space than ever before. The building blocks of space infrastructure required to carry humanity on this journey are in development today.

Dive into our vision of a water-based lunar architecture on the Moon that demonstrates our commitment to sustainable space exploration. This journey to the Moon is not just for knowledge, but securing our future, enabling Mars exploration, permanent bases and returning valuable resources to Earth.

Jump in our rover and take a tour of the lunar south pole to see the infrastructure needed to maintain a permanent presence on the Moon. Some of the highlights include:
Transportation: technology like the Orion spacecraft to transport humans to and from the Moon.
Mobility: vehicles to explore the Moon’s surface.
Power: a grid providing continuous power regardless of the Sun’s position.
Habitation: reliable, lightweight and spacious shelters made of inflatable softgoods technology.
Space Resources: water ice harvesting and regolith mining to support life on the Moon.

Our approach for a responsible and effective path forward is water-based, nuclear-enabled and commercially-invested. To learn more about our vision for humanity’s future in space, visit: https://lmt.co/3YqBr48

To download our novella white paper to see our vision for how this future will play out, visit: https://lmt.co/3YtDAvZ

More at:

**  OffWorld Prospector 1: A Lunar Prospecting and ISRU Demonstration Mission – Dallas Bienhoff, OffWorld Inc – Future In-Space Operations (FISO) Telecon Presentations

Presentation slides (pdf)

Here is also a review of the presentation: Offworld’s Prospector 1 mission to demonstrate ISRU on the Moon | Space Settlement Progress – Aug.11.2024

** Other lunar settlement news:

=== Mars habitation

** Mars Society conference update: NASA and space advocates consider Mars sample return options | Geekwire – Aug.11.2024

Tesla’s Cybertruck may look ungainly on Earth, but a pressurized version of the vehicle might be just the thing for gathering up samples of Martian rock and soil for return to Earth. That’s one of the way-out concepts that was discussed in Seattle during the past week’s convention of the Mars Society, a nonprofit advocacy group.

Robotically controlled Cybertrucks could be part of a Mars exploration system that also includes SpaceX’s Starship super-rocket as well as spaceworthy versions of all-terrain vehicles and humanoid robots built by Tesla, according to mission plans suggested by Mars Society co-founder Robert Zubrin, retired NASA engineer Tony Muscatello and business analyst Kent Nebergall.

Zubrin said the Starship-based concept could even accelerate progress toward crewed missions to Mars.

=== More space settlement presentations

** The Space Café Podcast #112: How to Build Our New Home Beyond Earth – SpaceWatch.Global

In this episode of the Space Café Podcast, host Markus discusses the intricacies of space habitation with Dr. Barbara Imhof, a prominent space architect from Liquifer. They explore the challenges and innovations in making off-Earth living comfortable and sustainable, including construction methods on the Moon, dealing with lunar dust, and creating multifunctional spaces. They also touch on the importance of cooperation for space missions and the influence of seeing Earth from space on human perspective. Barbara shares insights into upcoming projects and discusses ongoing efforts to develop near-future space habitats.

** Interview with Camisha Simmons – The Space Show – Aug.11.2024

We welcomed attorney Camisha Simmons to the program to discuss private party and commercial space property rights and asteroid mining legal concerns for space development. Ms. Simmons is a speaker on these issues at conferences including ISDC [National Space Society‘s International Space Development Conference].

** Moonshot for Life: Smithsonian’s Lunar Biodiversity Preservation Project – SpaceWatch.Global TV

In episode 113 of the Space Cafe Podcast, host Markus explores a groundbreaking concept with Dr. Mary Hagedorn, a distinguished researcher at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. The discussion centers on the ambitious idea of creating a backup of Earth’s biodiversity on the Moon.Key Topics:

• The critical state of coral reefs and the impact of climate change
• The concept of a lunar biorepository for safeguarding genetic material
• Technical, logistical, and ethical aspects of the project
• Implications for conservation, space exploration, and Earth’s future

Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction to the Space Cafe Podcast
00:43 Exploring the concept of “Planet B”
01:48 Meet Dr. Mary Hagedorn
03:44 Current state of coral reefs
04:45 The ecological significance of corals
06:46 Conservation challenges and efforts
09:43 Cryopreservation (https://www.nature.com/articles/s4159…) and biorepositories
19:58 The Moon as a potential biorepository
29:36 Strategic selection of key species for preservation
30:38 Challenges in genetic diversity and permitting
31:24 Sampling and preservation techniques
38:16 Citizen science (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/en…) and global collaboration
43:25 Philosophical and practical considerations for space colonization
46:45 Technical challenges and future prospects
01:02:34 Inspirational vision and call to action

This episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of conservation biology and space exploration, presenting innovative solutions to preserve Earth’s biodiversity for future generations.

** Living in Space [Aug.13.2024] – Space Renaissance

Participants: Jim Crisafulli, Henk Rogers, Tom Matula, Jerry Stone, Susan Jewell, Dinis Afonso Ribeiro, Gary Barnhard, Werner Grandl, Joe Pelton, Madhu Tangavelu, Adriano V. Autino

=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:

=== Earth views from ISS

** Highlight: California – Eureka – Sacramento – Central Valley – Wildfire smoke – Aug 18, 2024 12:55 PM – ISS Above

 

** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA

Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.

The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8

Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov

====

ISS after undocking of STS-132

=== Amazon Ads ===

Lego Ideas International Space Station
21321 Toy Blocks, Present, Space, Boys, Girls, Ages 16 and Up

====

Outpost in Orbit:
A Pictorial & Verbal History of the Space Station

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – July.17.2024

A selection of videos and news items about space habitats, living in space, and space settlement.

=== International Space Station & NASA

** Space to Ground: Midpoint: July 05, 2024 – NASA Johnson

** How Do Astronauts Get Fresh Fruits and Veggies in Space? – NASA Johnson

How do astronauts get fresh fruits and veggies in space? While some are shipped to the International Space Station, there’s another option: They can grow them themselves.

In microgravity, crews have successfully grown a variety of plants including mustard greens, kale, and… you guessed it: peppers. Learn how space gardening works and why it helps astronauts.

** Expedition71 NASA Astronaut Matt Dominick Talks With KGTV-TV San Diego – Friday, July 12, 2024 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 71 Flight Engineer Matt Dominick of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview July 12 with KGTV-TV, San Diego. Dominick is in the midst of a long-duration mission aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

—- Testing of thrusters for Axiom habitats:

—- Pioneering the Future of Commercial Space | Tech.eu Summit London 2024 – Axiom Space Youtube

Matt Ondler, President @Axiom Space

—- New, improved space suits. An overview of spacesuits in development by Axiom, Collins, and SpaceX: Tomorrow’s spacesuits | Aerospace America – June.2024

For its lunar suit, Axiom chose yet a third method of entry. Instead of the zippers on the Apollo suit, Artemis III astronauts will don their Axiom suits through the rear, via a hatch on the side of the life support systems backpack — similar to the door of a front-loading washing machine. After swinging open the hatch, an astronaut inserts feet, then arms, “and you just kind of fall into it,” Ralston says. Axiom chose a design without a rigid frame, believing this would reduce the chance of astronauts injuring themselves if they contorted their bodies while putting on the suits.

That soft outer pressure garment — made of a material that Axiom is not disclosing — is interspersed with joints at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. “We’ve done a lot of testing to iterate the types of basic joints that we use and how we pattern the different soft goods to enable flexibility, like bending your elbow or bending your arm,” Ralston says.

** Look inside the first commercial space station | Hard Reset – FreeThink

The international space station is getting an update, and its future iteration is not just a space station – it’s a space factory. Axiom Space is launching the first commercial space station in the next few years, which will open the door to a new era in the space economy.

To become the first commercial space station, Axiom has had to rethink everything about how we live in space. We got a tour of the space station development facility, which is … inside an abandoned retail store?

Axioms’s approach might seem scrappy, but these unassuming ingredients are coming together to make something incredible. With a series of four-week sprints, nimble mock-ups allow experienced astronauts to test out the designs they’ll be relying on in space.

Follow us as we get a preview inside the future of space tech.

0:00: Welcome to Hard Reset: Axiom Space
0:28: Axiom Space is pioneering the first commercial space factory
1:06: What is the potential of manufacturing in space?
4:06: Why implement a fail-fast approach to space?
4:54: Are higher-volume space habitats possible?
8:32: How can we strike a balance of practicality vs. aesthetics in space design?
9:20: How many tools does it take to assemble and disassemble the ISS?
12:10: How can we make space suit improvements for mobility and fit issues?
17:08 : How fast can this tech orbit the earth?
18:12: What is the future of space manufacturing?

** Gravitics

Gravitics will build a habitat module for Axiom‘s commercial space station:

Gravitics, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a $125-million contract by Axiom Space to provide a pressurized spacecraft that will support Axiom Station operations. The Gravitics spacecraft will play a utility role and will be capable of providing various services while attached to the commercial space station.

“Axiom Space and Gravitics are working together to develop space infrastructure to enable a sustainable global space economy in low-Earth orbit,” said Matt Ondler, President of Axiom Space. “Our next-gen platform, Axiom Station, will provide new pathways to space for traditional space users and non-traditional industries. We are expanding commercial opportunities in space, from in-space manufacturing to technology demonstrations to research and innovative solutions that will advance civilization.”

More at:

** Sierra Space – Astro Garden project aims for high production of vegetables in space.

** American commercial space stations increasingly international – Laura Forczyk

The US space industry is preparing to transition from the government-run International Space Station to commercial space stations. These private facilities are increasing their ties to non-American companies and governments to expand their customer and user base. Meanwhile, India and Russia have their own sovereign space station plans.

Gravitics to Build Space Infrastructure for Commercial Space Station: https://www.gravitics.com/news/axi4css

Japanese venture seeks to develop commercial space station module: https://spacenews.com/japanese-ventur…

Moon Monday #183 and Indian Space Progress #17: The one where Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan converge: https://jatan.space/moon-monday-issue…

Roscosmos chief approves schedule of creating Russian orbital station through 2033: https://tass.com/science/1811099

Grow your business in space: https://astralytical.com/

=== China

** Second EVA for Shenzhou-18 crew: China Station Crew: 2nd Spacewalk, Installation of Space Debris Protection Devices (Video) | Leonard David – July.5.2024

—- Shenzhou-18 Crew Complete Multiple Tasks in Second Spacewalk – CCTV Video News Agency

The Shenzhou-18 crew aboard China’s orbiting space station successfully completed multiple tasks in their second spacewalk on Wednesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

—- China’s Shenzhou-18 crew preps for 2nd spacewalk, conducts experiments – VideoFromSpace – July.3.2024

Astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu are preparing for a 2nd spacewalk aboard the Tiangong space station. They’ve also been conducting and maintaining combustion experiments. Full Story: https://www.space.com/china-shenzhou-…

** New Discoveries Made on Zirconium Alloy at China’s Space Station – CCTV Video News Agency

Chinese researchers have conducted in-orbit solidification experiments on zirconium alloy materials in the microgravity environment at China’s Tiangong space station, making important discoveries.

=== Lunar habitation

** Lunar tech initiative: How the Applied Physics Laboratory is tackling Artemis moon exploration | SpaceNews – July.2.2024

The APL is home to a Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium, funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). That consortium is tackling an array of issues for STMD’s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative, each important to solve before humanity can spend an extended stay on the moon.

** Radar from LRO satellite shows evidence of a lunar cave promising as a shelter for Moon base:

Abstract of Nature paper:

Several potential subsurface openings have been observed on the surface of the Moon. These lunar pits are interesting in terms of science and for potential future habitation. However, it remains uncertain whether such pits provide access to cave conduits with extensive underground volumes. Here we analyse radar images of the Mare Tranquillitatis pit (MTP), an elliptical skylight with vertical or overhanging walls and a sloping pit floor that seems to extend further underground. The images were obtained by the Mini-RF instrument onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2010. We find that a portion of the radar reflections originating from the MTP can be attributed to a subsurface cave conduit tens of metres long, suggesting that the MTP leads to an accessible cave conduit beneath the Moon’s surface. This discovery suggests that the MTP is a promising site for a lunar base, as it offers shelter from the harsh surface environment and could support long-term human exploration of the Moon.

A view from orbit of the Mare Tranquillitatis pit crater.
Credits: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University

=== Space habitat technology

** Broadcast 4227 Joe Carroll | The Space Show – July.9.2024

Joe addressed artificial gravity via different methods, companies working on some type of spin gravity space station, what we need to know before humans leave LEO for long duration flights, challenges, Artemis, Mars and much more

** Microgravity biology research:

— Using microgravity to understand osteoarthritis:

— Astronauts Struggle To Eat Their Space Food and Scientists Want to Know Why | Universe Today – July.16.2024

=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:

=== Earth views from ISS

** Highlight: NorCal #BAYAREA to SoCal – Jul 3, 2024 – 07:26 PDT – ISS Above

NASA EHDC6 Live views of the Earth from the International Space Station

** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA

Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.

The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8

Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov

====

ISS after undocking of STS-132

=== Amazon Ads ===

Lego Ideas International Space Station
21321 Toy Blocks, Present, Space, Boys, Girls, Ages 16 and Up

====

Outpost in Orbit:
A Pictorial & Verbal History of the Space Station

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – July.1.2024

Here is this week’s selection of videos and news items about government and commercial space habitats, living in space, and space settlement.

=== International Space Station & NASA

** Space to Ground: Laying the Groundwork: June 28, 2024 – NASA Johnson

** Expedition 71 Space Station Crew Talks with Yahoo Finance – Friday, June 28, 2024 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 71 Flight Engineers Tracy Dyson and Jeanette Epps of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview June 28 with Yahoo Finance. Dyson and Epps are in the midst of a long-duration mission aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.

** NASA accidentally broadcasts space station medical emergency drill – Hear it here! – VideoFromSpace

On June 12, 2024, NASA accidentally broadcasted a drill that simulated an astronaut with a medical emergency. A NASA flight surgeon can be heard suggesting treatment during the call the Internatlonal Space Station. Full Story: https://www.space.com/no-emergency-si…

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

—- Axiom aims to offer “in-space cloud computing” services from its orbital habitat: Axiom Space Plans To Test Orbital-Based Data Center Tech on ISS This Year | FMN News

Axiom plans to test their new designs on ISS this year. “We plan to fly and install an Axiom Data Center Unit (AxDCU) prototype onboard the ISS,” Aspiotis says. That prototype will “Test and demonstrate use cases for in-space cloud computing, AI/ML, data fusion and cybersecurity applications. The primary objectives are: (a) continue to develop the orbital data center market by demonstrating and proving the efficacy of in-situ cloud computing use cases, and (b) raise the technical readiness level of commercial and terrestrial-grade hardware operating in a space station environment.”

As Axiom completes its ODC development, the company sees a good market for its services, “Any terrestrial company that could stand to benefit from space-derived data or insights being processed and delivered with lower latency and more security could be a user of ODCs. Financial institutions requiring faster insights from Earth observation data could be an example,” said Aspiotis.

—- Axiom says it’s space suit development projects remain on track:

@Axiom_Space continues development & testing of #AxEMU to deliver a next-gen spacesuit for #Artemis, ready for the challenges of the lunar south pole. We are on track, meeting/exceeding all milestones for the nation’s return to the Moon by 2026.

** Gravitics

—- Gravitics will work with NASA to develop procedures and systems for certifying space structures much larger than the usual satellite type of spacecraft. The company signed a Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA

… to develop verification and validation by similarity approaches for 6 to 8-meter diameter structures.

“It is time to build bigger,” said Colin Doughan, CEO of Gravitics. “I am optimistic that the qualification and validation solutions being pioneered by Gravitics will be used across the industry from 6 to 8-meter diameter payloads and beyond.”

More at:

** Sierra Space

—- Robb Report tours inside of the Sierra inflatable habitat: Inside Sierra Space’s LIFE Inflatable Space Station | Robb Report – June.25.2024

Robb Report’s recent visit to the aerospace company’s headquarters and research facility in Louisville, Colorado, included an exclusive tour of its inflatable space habitat. The full-scale prototype is designed to launch into space inside a conventional rocket and then expand—while in orbit—into globular living quarters.

“Walking through it now might feel claustrophobic, but when you’re floating, it’s very roomy,” says Sierra Space’s chief safety officer Angie Wise. Above her is an upside-down hammock harnessed to the ceiling—“The astronauts have to strap in, or they’ll float around”—and beside it, a copy of sci-fi thriller Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (who also wrote The Martian), nestled within its own perch like a makeshift nightstand.

** Starlab / Voyager Space

—- Starlab aims to launch Starlab habitat on a Starship:

—- Starlab will use Palantir Technologies data management software for space station:

Palantir will become the exclusive supplier of enterprise-wide software data management solutions for the Starlab commercial space station.

Palantir’s AI-driven software enables analysts, users, and decision-makers alike to optimize the entirety of space architecture. Palantir helps deliver cutting-edge, adaptable software solutions from the ground to the edge – helping ensure space capabilities are maximally resilient, effective, and accessible,

=== Lunar habitation

** China’s Plan to Establish a Permanent Base on the Moon – Dongfang Hour

While the US and its partners are planning to carry out the Artemis Program in the coming decade, China is preparing the competing “ILRS”, aka the International Lunar Research Station. In this episode, we do a deep dive into China’s permanent lunar base project and its scientific and political ramifications.

If you like what you see and would like to support me, please consider joining our small Patreon community at / dongfanghour !
We also have some very cool space merch available at https://shop.dongfanghour.com.

00:00 Artemis and the ILRS (introduction)
00:43 China’s Moon Program: Early Beginnings
01:58 Chang’e 1 to Chang’e 6
02:35 First Mention of the ILRS
03:21 Private Internet Access
05:14 The ILRS Becomes a Sino-Russian Project
06:02 ILRS Phase 1 – Moon Base “Basic Model”
06:57 ILRS Phase 2 – Moon Base “Construction Phase”
10:09 How China plans to launch the ILRS hardware
11:20 Can the ILRS become international?

** Gateway Lunar Space Station Flyby – NASA Johnson

NASA and its international partners will explore the scientific mysteries of deep space with Gateway, humanity’s first space station to orbit the Moon. Witness Gateway in stunning detail with this video that brings the future of lunar exploration to life.

For more information about Gateway, visit: nasa.gov/gateway.

=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:

=== Earth views from ISS

** Highlight: SoCal – Los Angeles – San Diego – Jun 25, 2024 – 10:38 PDT – ISS Above

NASA EHDC6 Live views of the Earth from the International Space Station

** Expedition 71 International Space Station Flyover of Hurricane Beryl – Monday, July 1, 2024 – NASA Video

The International Space Station flew 260 miles over Hurricane Beryl at approximately 9 a.m. EDT Monday, July 1, 2024. External cameras on the orbiting laboratory captured views of the storm as it traveled across the Caribbean near the Windward Islands as a Category 4 hurricane with winds around 130 miles per hour.

** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA

Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.

The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8

Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov

====

ISS after undocking of STS-132

=== Amazon Ads ===

Lego Ideas International Space Station
21321 Toy Blocks, Present, Space, Boys, Girls, Ages 16 and Up

====

Outpost in Orbit:
A Pictorial & Verbal History of the Space Station