Category Archives: Space Settlement

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space Habitation Report – May.19.2026

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

A rendering of the spacecraft docked to the International Space Station Configuration as of May.17.2026. The six spaceships parked at the station include the SpaceX CRS-34 Dragon, the SpaceX Crew-12 Dragon, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL, the Soyuz MS-28 crew ship, and the Progress 94 and 95 resupply ships. Credits: NASA

** SpaceX Dragon Docks to Station Filled with New Science Experiments | NASA – May.17.2026

At 6:37 a.m. EDT, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the forward port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module, carrying nearly 6,500 pounds of food, supplies, and equipment for the Expedition 74 crew. This is the 34th SpaceX commercial resupply services mission to the space station for NASA.

In addition to cargo for the crew aboard the space station, Dragon will deliver several new experiments, including a project to determine how well Earth-based simulators mimic microgravity conditions, a bone scaffold made from wood that could produce new treatments for fragile bone conditions like osteoporosis, and equipment to help researchers evaluate how red blood cells and the spleen change in space. The Dragon spacecraft also will carry a new instrument to study charged particles around the Earth that can impact power grids and satellites, an investigation that could provide a fundamental understanding of how planets form, and a instrument designed to take highly accurate measurements of sunlight reflected by Earth and the Moon.

The mission launched at 6:05 p.m. May 15 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

** NASA’s SpaceX 34th Commercial Resupply Services Rendezvous and Docking | NASA

** NASA Astronauts Discuss Life In Space With U.S. Naval War College – Friday, April 24, 2026 | NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 74 flight engineers Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams of NASA, discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview April 24 with the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Hathaway is a graduate of the college. The two astronauts are in the midst of a long-duration mission living and working 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.

** The International Space Station: 25 Years of Innovation and Inspiration | AIAA 

In November, the International Space Station (ISS) reached a historic milestone—25 years of continuous human presence in orbit. Over that time, more than 290 astronauts have lived and worked aboard the space station, driving research and development that benefits life on Earth and expands NASA’s reach into space. This session will highlight some of the most innovative advancements enabled by the ISS and explore what’s next for low Earth orbit as we look toward the future of space exploration.

MODERATOR: Patrick O’Neill, INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ​NATIONAL LABORATORY
Michael Roberts, Chief Science Officer, ISS National Lab
Robyn Gatens, Director, International Space Station and Commercial Spaceflight Divisions, NASA (Invited)”

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

— What Comes Next | Axiom on Youtube

“What Comes Next” showcases Axiom Space’s vision to transcend Earth by building era-defining space infrastructure that drives exploration and fuels a vibrant space economy for the benefit of every human everywhere. Tune in to watch our short film to learn more about how we are building what comes next for low-Earth orbit. #AxiomStation
— — —

Axiom Space is building the world’s first commercial space station – Axiom Station. Serving as a cornerstone for sustained human presence in space, this next-generation orbital platform fosters groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity, and cultivates the vibrant, global space economy of tomorrow. Today, driven by the vision of leading humanity’s journey off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services to the International Space Station and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and low-Earth orbit. Axiom Space is building era-defining space infrastructure that will empower our civilization to transcend Earth for the benefit of every human, everywhere.

— Axiom Space CEO Jonathan Cirtain Explains What Sets It Apart from Competitors | New York Stock Exchange

Axiom Space CEO Jonathan Cirtain joins Ashley Mastronardi on NYSE Live to discuss his company and its. competition

** Starlab – Voyager Technologies

— Commercial demand for Starlab exceeds available capacity: Voyager ‘very optimistic’ about Starlab amid potential NASA changes | SpaceNews – May.5.2026

“We were already at 130% of commercial demand capacity spoken for on Starlab, and that commercial demand could translate to a different solution if NASA goes a different path,” he said.

Phil de Sousa, chief financial officer, said that Starlab should start recording commercial revenue as soon as 2027 through activities such as training for future missions to the station as well as converting payload reservations into contracts. Work on Starlab has been supported so far by the companies along with a NASA Space Act Agreement, which provided $24 million to Voyager in the first quarter as it completed four milestones.

Voyager may launch Starlab even without NASA as anchor customer:

Taylor left the door open for Starlab to develop its station without NASA support when asked by an analyst if there was a “third option” beyond the current CLD plans and the alternative proposed by NASA.

“I think we’re very well positioned for CLD Phase 2, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that we could independently finance this,” he said.

— Voyager partners with Rhodium Scientific to support scientific research on Starlab:

— Starlab partner Max Space will provide expandable structures for in-space and on lunar surface habitation: Max Space unveils new expandable space habitat for the moon and beyond: ‘We need real estate that is scalable’ | Space.com – Apr.16.2026

Max Space has unveiled a large sub-scale version of their expandable habitat, giving viewers a real look at how best to offer far greater habitable volume for future space endeavors. “This is more than a model,” said Saleem Miyan, co-founder and CEO of Max Space, based in Florida. “It is a physical demonstration of a new approach to space infrastructure, far greater habitable volume, lower launch mass and logistics burden, scalable architecture for commercial low Earth orbit stations, lunar surface systems, and future deep space missions.”

If we are serious about permanent human presence on the moon and in space, Miyan told Space.com, “we need real estate that is scalable and built for how humans will actually live and operate off Earth.”

— Another customer for Starlab microgravity service: Plastron Group and Starlab Space Enter Agreement to Advance Life Sciences Research | Starlab – Apr.21.2026

Starlab Space LLC, a commercial space station developer, today announced an agreement with Plastron Group, a contract research organization focused on enabling end-to-end life sciences research and manufacturing in microgravity in the UK and Europe at large. Through the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate on expanding access to microgravity-enabled biotechnology and pharmaceutical research as the commercial space industry transitions beyond the International Space Station.

Under the agreement, Plastron will deliver a comprehensive microgravity service model for biotech and pharmaceutical customers, supporting research and manufacturing workflows from ground to orbit and back. The company’s approach integrates experiment design, payload handling and post-flight analysis into a seamless process, ensuring continuity and quality across every stage of the mission.

** VAST

— The Vast step-by-step development of sustainable habitats in space:

— The Vast approach to the design of ground and orbital facilities: Step inside the gorgeous, futuristic offices of Vast, the startup designing the next-gen space station – Fast Company

Vast’s new 49,000-square-foot headquarters, a collaboration between its in-house team and the New York-based multidisciplinary design studio Civilian, does all those things, in a sophisticated expression of how architecture can support high-performance work and reinforce brand.

— Vast partnering with Lithuania for research activities in orbital stations: Vast Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Innovation Agency Lithuania to Support Space Industry Engagement and Scientific Research | VAST – May.6.2026

Established in 2022, Innovation Agency Lithuania is a non-profit agency under the Lithuanian Ministry of Economy and Innovation and leads the country’s innovation ecosystem, supporting business development across all stages, including space research.

Under the agreement, Vast and Innovation Agency Lithuania will explore opportunities for joint scientific research activities either in the International Space Station National Lab or Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station, launching in 2027. The partnership also includes plans to further develop educational programs in Lithuania and deepen engagement with local industry.

— VAST aims for launch of first station in 1st quarter of 2027:  Vast’s Haven-1 Advances Toward First Commercial Space Station Launch | Orbitalhub.com – Apr.19.2026

Vast, the California-based startup developing what it calls the world’s first commercial space station, announced significant progress in March and April 2026 as Haven-1 moves toward its target launch in the first quarter of 2027. The company secured $500 million in Series C funding in March 2026, led by the Qatar Investment Authority with participation from Mitsui, MUFG, and Balerion Space Ventures.

The funding will accelerate production of the Haven-1 station and support development of the follow-on Haven-2 design. Vast has also expanded manufacturing facilities in Long Beach, California, where the station modules are being assembled. The company’s workforce has grown to over 400 employees, up from approximately 200 in early 2025.

Haven-1 entered the full integration phase in January 2026, with the spacecraft’s major subsystems being assembled and tested together for the first time. Life support systems, critical for sustaining crew members, have undergone extended testing including模拟 long-duration missions. The station’s interior has been outfitted with cargo storage systems, crew accommodations, and research equipment.

— Vast is building the first commercial space stations | NBC News

Vast hopes to be the first U.S. company to put a commercial space station into orbit, eventually replacing the ISS with it’s own, smaller stations. NBC News’ Gadi Schwartz gets a tour of their factory in Long Beach, California, where the bulk of their stations are manufactured.

— The Large Docking Adapter for the future of commercial space | VAST Youtube

Introducing the Large Docking Adapter. The future of space exploration is larger crewed vehicles and space stations. In current development at Vast HQ, the adapter is designed to standardize large spacecraft compatibility.

To learn more, visit: [Vast Unveils a Large Docking Adapter Standard | Vast – Apr.15.2026]

— Vast introduces flight suit for the Haven-1 space station:

Video from Vast:

Introducing the Vast Astronaut Flight Suit. Shaping the future of humanity’s life in space through human-centric design is a core ethos at Vast. Developed with spaceflight experts, the suit prioritizes mobility, comfort, and on-orbit functionality.

Flight suits have played a key role, both practically and symbolically, in aviation and spaceflight history. The design of the flight suit honors that legacy while signaling the future of commercial space.

— Haven Demo deorbits | VAST Youtube

On Feb 4, 2026, Vast mission control executed a terminal deorbit burn guiding Haven Demo, our in-orbit testbed for space station technologies, to splashdown in the South Pacific Ocean. This demonstrates safe, controlled deorbit capability for future space station modules.

** Commercial habitat news, articles, reports, etc:

=== Chinese space habitats

** Tianzhou-10 Successfully Docks with Tiangong Space Station | CCTV Video News Agency

China’s Tianzhou-10 cargo craft completed its status setup and successfully docked with the orbiting Tiangong space station on May 11, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

** Shenzhou-21 Crew Receives New Supplies, Continues Space Experiments After Extended Mission in Orbit | CCTV Video News Agency

Nearly 200 days into their mission aboard China’s space station Tiangong, the Shenzhou-21 astronauts, Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, remain in good physical and mental condition.

** China habitat news, articles, reports, etc:

=== Lunar habitation

** Blue Origin plans to extract oxygen and other resources from the lunar regolith:

** The Unknown Quantity – Dr. Doug Plata— March 26, 2026 | Space Frontier Foundation

The Unknown Quantity explores how capital, and technology shape the future of the space economy and deep tech markets.

Hosted by Thomas Andrew Olson of the Center for Space Commerce and Finance and produced by Better Futures Inc., the show breaks down regulatory risk, investment dynamics, and strategic decision making across the commercial space industry.

Each episode is designed for founders, investors, policymakers, and industry professionals seeking clear, structured insight into how space and emerging technology companies form, attract capital, manage risk, and scale.

Dr. Doug Plata, President and founder of the Space Development Network, is interviewed. The Network is a volunteer space advocacy group that focuses on “the establishment of humanity’s first, small but permanent off-Earth settlement as soon as possible“.

** Komatsu lunar machine project #3 | Komatsu

Here is a sneak peak of Komatsu on the moon. At the dawn of space exploration, Komatsu is taking on a challenge to develop a machine whose line of job is construction on the moon!

The study of lunar construction equipment utilizes the results of research and development commissioned by the Project for Promoting the Development of Innovative Technologies for Outer Space Autonomous Construction (A Japanese government project lead-managed by MLIT with the collaboration of MEXT)

Learn more:
https://www.komatsu.jp/en/aboutus/bra…

See also Building on the Moon: Komatsu and the Rise of Lunar Construction | OrbitalHub – Apr.5.2026.

More lunar habitation articles, news, etc:

=== In-space habitation

** The Space Habitat Diaspora – Humanity Spreads Without Planets | Isaac Arthur

Humanity may not colonize planets—we may build our own worlds. Explore how rotating space habitats could spread across the Solar System and beyond, forming a vast diaspora of artificial worlds that reshape civilization and interstellar expansion.

…

0:00 Intro – Rethinking What a World Can Be
2:37 Why Habitats Win on Physics, Engineering… and Scalability
10:13 The Birth of a Habitat Civilization
14:54 Nebula
15:54 Life Without Planets: Cultures That Grow in Steel Valleys
18:59 Resilience: Fragile Shells, Immortal Civilizations
21:37 The True Diaspora: Leaving the Solar System

** SRIC4 #17: “Building and living in space” with Isaac Arthur | Space Renaissance

This is the 17th preliminary webinar of the IV SRI World Congress. We, at Space Renaissance, are very interested to understanding more on a few concepts illustrated by Isaac Arthur in his online lectures program:

Orbital Foundries & Zero G Manufacturing, Building in Space ( • Orbital Foundries & Zero G Manufacturing -… ),
Space Habitat Clusters & Conglomerations ( • Space Habitat Clusters & Conglomerations ).

All of these topics are of great actuality, in the incoming scenario of the cislunar space economy and the kick-off of civilian space development, a key focus for our IV SRI World Congress. Some of our experts, plus Adriano V. Autino, will pose questions to Isaac, in a broad conversation-interview style. Participants to the panel include:

Alberto Cavallo, co-chair of the Space Tech & Industry Commitee (expert in Energy and scholar of space transportation and propulsion)
Werner Grandl, chair of the Space Tech & Industry Commitee (expert of architecture and civil enginneering)
Jerry Stone, chair of the Space Habitats Committee (father of the Island Zero project)
Adriano V. Autino, SRI, CEO & Founder

An essential bio
Isaac Arthur — President, National Space Society — is the creator of the wildly successful “Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur,” an award-winning weekly science education and entertainment show with over 700,000 subscribers and over 400 episodes on YouTube. The show covers a wide range of futuristic concepts including space technology, development, and exploration, and …

** Space Tech & Industry Committee +Space Habitats meeting #12 02 04 2026 | Space Renaissance

Participants: Werner Grandl [WG], Alberto Cavallo [AC], Walter Hammond [WH], Dennis O’Brien [DOB], Adriano V. Autino [AVA]

=== Space settlement – General topics

** SRIC4 #19: “Space capitalism” with Prof. Giancarlo Genta | Space Renaissance

Space capitalism – Private companies and states in the new race beyond Earth
Giancarlo Genta – Professor Emeritus, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

ABSTRACT In the last years, the number of private actors engaged in space missions has grown, and their importance has increased. This trend is usually referred to as New Space. While this trend has started with economic activities in LEO and in supplying transportation services to Space Agencies, now these activities are expanding to deep space (or BLEO: Beyond Low Earth Orbit) and to space exploration with missions designed and implemented by private industries, and space agencies buying tickets to send their astronauts on exploration missions. The overall advantages of this approach to exploration will be the decrease of costs and times of exploration missions, which will lead to start a spacefaring civilization without waiting long times. In particular, the recent statements by Elon Musk, of SpaceX, about performing a sample return mission to Mars in the 2028 launch opportunity as a test to proceed with a human mission in 2030 are very interesting. Even if there will be a delay, the timeframe for Mars human exploration will be greatly reduced.

SHORT BIO Giancarlo Genta obtained degrees in Aeronautical Engineering in 1971 and Aerospace Engineering in 1972. Taught courses in Astronautical Propulsion, Motor Vehicle Mechanics, Design of Aircraft Engines and Space robotics at Politecnico di Torino. Full Professor in Machine Design, head of the Department of Mechanics from 1989 to 1995, now is Professor Emeritus, member of the Academy of Sciences of Torino and of the International Academy of Astronautics, where since 2012 heads the Study Group on Human Mars Exploration. Member of the Advisory Board of the Starshot Project. Author of more than 400 scientific papers, 5 patents and 40 textbooks, research monographies and popular science books. Author of 6 science fiction novels, published in Italian and English.

=== A sampling of space habitat and settlement news and articles:

=== Earth views from ISS

** Earth views at night during the Lyrids meteor shower – εpsilon mission | European Space Agency, ESA

Auroras, thunderstorms, and brightly lit cities streak across this nighttime timelapse captured by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot during the 2026 Lyrids meteor shower.

** 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 Associate Ads ===

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====

International Space Station: An insight into the history, development,
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permanently manned earth-orbiting complex (Owners’ Workshop Manual)

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitation report – Mar.25.2026

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

** U.S. Spacewalk 94 | NASA

Watch as NASA astronauts Chris Williams and Jessica Meir go on a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station.

Williams and Meir will make preparations to install additional International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSAs), which will provide additional power for the orbital laboratory. The spacewalk is scheduled to start at about 8:00 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC) and run for about six-and-a-half hours.

This spacewalk will be the first for Williams and fourth for Meir.

Learn more about the spacewalk: https://go.nasa.gov/4sI2HXG

** U.S. Spacewalk 94 Animation – March 17, 2026 |  NASA Johnson

An animation of U.S. spacewalk 94 scheduled for Wednesday, March 16 when NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams will prepare the 2A power channel for future installation of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA) which will provide additional power ahead of safe and controlled space station deorbit. The duo will also swab the outside of the orbiting lab for microorganisms. This animation was narrated by flight director Diana Trujillo.

** U.S. Spacewalk 95 Animation – March 17, 2026 |  NASA Johnson

An animation of U.S. spacewalk 95 scheduled in the coming weeks when two NASA astronauts will prepare the 3B power channel for future installation of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA) which will provide additional power ahead of safe and controlled space station deorbit. This animation was narrated by flight director Ronak Dave.

Join NASA as we go forward to the Moon and on to Mars — discover the latest on Earth, the Solar System and beyond with a weekly update in your inbox.

** Watch the 1st ‘Cygnus XL’ cargo spacecraft depart the ISS after undocking | VideoFromSpace

The first Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on March 12, 2026. [Full Story] (https://www.space.com/space-explorati…)

The spacecraft was launched in Sept. 2025 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and delivered “scientific research, crew supplies, and hardware” to the orbital outpost, according to NASA.

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

— Building a hatch for the Axiom station:

— A view of the Axiom station interior:

** Starlab – Voyager Technologies

— Commercial microgravity companies book up the  Starlab space station:

— Users include biotech companies:

— And semiconductor manufacturers:

— The Starlab station has plenty of room for commercial and government customers:

** VAST

— Vast raises big money: Vast Secures $500M in Funding to Accelerate Production of Haven Space Stations | VAST – Mar.5.2026

— Vast deorbits Haven Demo, a testbed for the company’s space station technologies and designs:

— An overview of the Vast space station project: The Stations to Come: Vast, a space technology firm, is building for a post-ISS orbital future | Arena Magazine – Mar.5.2026

— Interview with Vast CEO Max Haot:

— VAST aims for a comfortable stay in space:

— A regulatory step forward towards launch in 2027 of the pilot test station called Haven-1:

** News, articles, etc. about commercial habitats:

=== Chinese space habitats

** Shenzhou-21 astronauts complete second spacewalk | SciNews

According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the second extravehicular activity (EVA) of the Shenzhou-21 (神舟二十一) mission was completed on 16 March 2026, at 11:35 UTC (19:35 China Standard Time). During the ~7 hours spacewalk, astronauts Zhang Lu (张陆, commander) and Wu Fei (武飞) “completed the installation of a space debris protection device for the space station along with other tasks”. Astronaut Zhang Hong Zhang (张洪章) assisted them from inside the Tianhe Core Module (天和核心舱) by operating the robotic arm of the China Space Station (中国空间站). Credit: China National Space Administration (CNSA)/China Central Television (CCTV)

** Shenzhou-21 Crew Advances Space Experiments, Health Monitoring Aboard China’s Space Station | CCTV Video News Agency

Shenzhou-21 Crew Advances Space Experiments, Health Monitoring Aboard China’s Space Station

China space habitat articles, news, etc.

=== Lunar habitation

** Decoding NASA’s New Moon Strategy – Deep Space Updates – March 13th 2026 | Scott Manley

** Jim Muncy on Artemis, a commercial lunar base and more. | The Space Show, Broadcast 4514, Sunday, March 10, 2026

Quick Summary: Our discussion focused on NASA’s Artemis program changes and lunar development strategy, with Jim Muncy discussing NASA Administrator Jared’s recent modifications to Artemis missions, including standardizing on the Centaur 5 upper stage and adding an Earth orbit rendezvous mission before lunar landing attempts. The discussion explored how these changes improve odds for a 2028 moon landing, with both HLS providers (SpaceX and Blue Origin) being encouraged to demonstrate their lander systems in Earth orbit by mid-2027. The conversation concluded with a debate about commercial lunar development, where Jim advocated for establishing a commercial lunar base from day one rather than creating a government-built facility, arguing that commercial solutions would drive more economic activity and scientific research on the moon than a government-only approach.

The Space Show Presents Jim Muncy on Artemis, a commercial lunar base and more. by Dr. David M. Livingston

Broadcast 4514, Sunday, March 10, 2026

Read on Substack

** A permanent Moon Base is now a top priority for NASA. Here are  articles about the development of such a facility:

** NASA’s $30 Billion Moon Base Plan: Full Timeline Explained | Breaking Space/NASASpaceflight

NASA has officially paused the Lunar Gateway in its current form and pivoted its hardware, funding, and leadership to the first sustained crewed Moon Base at the lunar south pole. In this detailed breakdown of NASA’s Ignition event, we unpack the three-phase plan: Phase 1 delivers 21 CLPS landings by 2028 with 4-tonne payloads, Lunar Terrain Vehicles, hoppers, radioisotope heaters, and lunar comms satellites for $10 billion; Phase 2 (2029–2032) establishes the initial outpost with JAXA’s pressurized rover, solar arrays, RTGs, and 60 tonnes of cargo; and Phase 3 (2033–2036) scales to 8-tonne landers, 150 tonnes of payload, ISRU oxygen production, regolith construction, and semi-annual crew missions. We also examine what happens to the nearly complete Gateway modules (PPE, HALO, I-Hab), the shift to commercial launch providers beyond Artemis V, and the $30+ billion investment driving real hardware already in production. If you want the clearest picture yet of how NASA is moving from orbit to the lunar surface, this is it.

** Ignition: NASA’s Plan for The Moon | NASA

Join us as we provide an update on the implementation of the National Space Policy and how we’re accelerating preparations for America’s return to the surface of the Moon by 2028.

The program will open with remarks from NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, followed by a series of high-level panels. Participants include:

Administrator Jared Isaacman
Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya
Dana Weigel, program manager, International Space Station Program
Carlos Garcia-Galan, program executive, Moon Base
Steve Sinacore, program executive, Fission Surface Power
Dr. Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate
Dr. Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

More info: https://go.nasa.gov/40QGOtA

=== Space habitat technologies

** Stopping Power! Why Radiation Shielding Is More Than Just Lead Bricks. | Scott Manley

Radiation Shielding is a standard trope in storytelling, and you may well have heard about different radiation types and how materials work differently. However it’s more complicated that you think, sometimes a shield that’s good for one source is bad for others, and this comes down to the physics of radiation interacting with matter.

So here’s an overview of how radiation shielding works and what’s going on at the subatomic level.

=== Space settlement technologies

** How Asteroid Mining Will Power The Trillion-Dollar Space Economy | Trans Astronautica Corporation

Asteroid mining will play a critical role in building the trillion dollar space economy.

In this video, we share more about how our patented technology will allow us to detect, capture, move, and mine asteroids.

Read more about our work at www.transastra.com

See also Asteroid Mining: The Next Resource Frontier: Humanity’s Transition from Planetary Limits to Cosmic Resource | BSV Insights – Mar.23.2026

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

=== Earth views from ISS

** 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 Associate Ads ===

LEGO Ideas International Space Station 21321 Building Kit,
Adult Set for Display, Makes a Great Birthday Present (864 Pieces)

====

International Space Station: An insight into the history, development,
collaboration, production and role of the
permanently manned earth-orbiting complex (Owners’ Workshop Manual)

In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitation report – Mar.2.2026

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

** NASA’s SpaceX 33rd Commercial Resupply Services Undocking | NASA

Watch a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undock and depart from the International Space Station. The spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously undock at 12:05 p.m. EST (1705 UTC) on Thursday, Feb. 26, and splash down off the coast of California at 2:44 a.m. EST (0744 UTC) on Friday, Feb. 27.

This Dragon spacecraft arrived at the space station as part of our SpaceX 33rd Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-33) mission. It arrived carrying science and supplies for the crew aboard the orbiting lab, and will return to Earth with scientific data from experiments in low Earth orbit, including tests determining how materials age in space and how microgravity affects brain and heart stem cell growth.

Learn more about this mission and the science it’s bringing down to Earth: [link to advisory]
Follow the ISS blog for the latest updates on the CRS-33 mission: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/

See also: Human Research, Advanced Tech Keep Crew Busy Before Dragon Departs | NASA – Feb.25.2026

** NASA Astronaut Discusses Life In Space With WTOP Radio – Friday, February 20, 2026 | NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 74 flight engineer Chris Williams of NASA, discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview February 20 with WTOP Radio in Washington, D.C. Williams is in the midst of a long-duration mission living and working 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.

** Celebrate Engineers Week 2026 with the International Space Station | DiscoverE

Astronaut Chris Williams shares an Engineers Week message from the Cupola of the International Space Station!

This year’s Engineers Week theme – Transform Your Future – is about celebrating today’s achievements and inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers.

Join the #Eweek2026 celebration and learn more at https://discovere.org/programs/engine…

** Crew-12 arrives at the International Space Station | εpsilon mission | European Space Agency, ESA

Watch the docking operations of Crew-12 to the International Space Station (ISS), which took place on 14 February 2026 at 21:15 CET. The docking is followed by the hatch opening and the welcome remarks by the astronauts already present in the ISS.

ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot flies as mission specialist. The other Crew-12 members are NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, respectively commander and pilot of the mission, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Fedyaev, mission specialist.

The French ESA astronaut is the first of her class, the Hoppers, to fly. Sophie has chosen the name εpsilon for her mission, which may last up to nine months. On board the Station, she will conduct a wide range of tasks, including European-led scientific experiments and medical research, support Earth observation activities, and contribute to operations and maintenance on the Station.

** ISS does ‘orbital cartwheel’ in amazing time-lapse from space | VideoFromSpace

The International Space Station changes its orientation “before and after each Spacex CRS-33 reboost,” according to NASA astronaut Zena Cardman. This time-lapse shows the orbital cartwheel it performs.

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

** Axiom raises additional funding: Axiom Space Secures $350M in Financing to Accelerate Space Station, Spacesuit Development | Axiom Space – Feb.12.2026

Axiom Space, the leader in commercial human space exploration, announced today $350-million in financing to advance its mission to deliver the successor to the International Space Station (ISS) and ready its next-generation spacesuits for the United States’ return to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

The financing reflects continued strong institutional and strategic investor conviction in Axiom Space’s leadership position.

** Vast and Axiom awarded new private missions to ISS, continue work on commercial space stations – NASASpaceFlight.com

** Starlab – Voyager Technologies

** Starlab station mockup:

** Voyager to use Max Space expandable habitat technologies: Voyager and Max Space to Accelerate Deep-Space Human Exploration Voyager/BusinessWire – Feb.5.2026

Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG) and Max Space announced a strategic partnership to advance expandable space exploration technology, serving as the cornerstone of future lunar and deep-space exploration efforts for habitation and storage. …

… The collaboration brings together Voyager’s experience delivering mission-critical space systems and infrastructure with Max Space’s high-volume, low-mass expandable structure technology, creating a scalable approach to human operations on the lunar surface and critical to humanity’s expansion to Mars and beyond. The effort supports a growing national and commercial emphasis toward a sustained human presence and operational continuity beyond low-Earth orbit.

“Expandable structures represent a step change in how surface infrastructure can be delivered and deployed,” said Saleem Miyan, co-founder and CEO, Max Space. “Our structure is an evolutionary leap over previous generations, and it’s the only expandable technology with 40 years of on-orbit experience designed into it. Its architecture embodies increased capability, scalability and versatility that are essential for sustained deep-space human activity and to unleash the Lunar and Martian economies.”

See also Expandable Structures in Space: New Strategic Partnership | Leonard David – Feb.5.2026

— Starlab plans for microgravity life science research and manufacturing applications on the station:

** VAST

— FCC space chief tours Vast HQ:

— VAST private astronaut mission to ISS approved by NASA:

—  More about the mission:

Vast, the company developing next-generation space stations, has signed an order with NASA for the sixth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than summer 2027 from Florida. It is Vast’s first private astronaut mission to the space station in partnership with NASA.

…

The Vast private astronaut mission crew is expected to spend up to 14 days aboard the space station. A specific launch date will depend on overall spacecraft traffic at the orbital outpost and other planning considerations. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch the crew on a Dragon spacecraft to the space station as previously announced.

The mission will generate invaluable insights into the infrastructure and processes required for Vast to safely accomplish human spaceflight missions. The mission supports deeper collaboration with NASA and international space agencies in addition to strengthening Vast’s position as a candidate to deliver its proposed successor to the space station, the multi-module, continuously crewed Haven-2.

=== Chinese space habitats

** Chinese astronauts create music video in space to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 | VideoFromSpace

The Shenzhou-21 crew created a music video aboard the Tiangong space station that highlights China’s accomplishments in space. Full Story: https://www.space.com/astronomy/moon/…

** Chinese astronauts left ‘stranded’ on space station reveal damaged spacecraft details | VideoFromSpace

Crew members of China’s Shenzhou-20 mission recently detailed their reactions upon finding cracks in their spacecraft’s viewport during the nation’s first spaceflight emergency.

=== Lunar habitation

** Lunar habitation articles, reports, etc:

=== Mars habitation 

** Dr. Scott Solomon talks humans in space, on the Moon, Mars, living in space and our space biology needs… | The Space Show – Feb.8.2026

Dr. Scott Solomon talks humans in space, on the Moon, Mars, living in space and our space biology needs so don’t miss this! by Dr. David M. Livingston

Broadcast 4501, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026

Read on Substack

See also: Broadcast 4501 Zoom Dr. Scott Solomon | The Space Show

=== Habitation technologies

** How will Artemis crews be shielded from solar storms aboard Orion spacecraft? | VideoFromSpace

NASA explains the procedure astronauts will undertake to shield themselves in case of a solar storm hitting the spacecraft during flight.

** Broadcast 4504 Zoom: Frank Pietronigro | The Space Show – Feb.13.2026

[Frank Pietronigro] discussed his artistic and scientific research focused on creating living biological spacecraft and habitats, emphasizing the integration of art and science to enhance human space exploration. He highlighted collaborations with NASA and the development of systems to reduce stress and boredom in space environments, while also exploring the concept of biopixels and living cells as programmable elements for future space habitats. Frank referenced historical and contemporary influences, while David mentioned a previous guest who was a former hand surgeon now an architect talking about “living architecture for space.”

Frank discussed the evolution of space art and the concept of biopixels, emphasizing the shift from geometric to organic structures and the need for an ethics of universal hospitality in space exploration. He shared his vision for a dynamic living space habitat and mentioned a proposal submitted to MIT. The Wisdom Team also discussed recent art projects on the moon, including Jeff Koons’ digital sculpture and a digital museum, highlighting the intersection of art, technology, and science. Frank reflected on his own experiences with space art, including a drift painting experiment in 1986 and his work with the California Space Grant Program.

There is also a Youtube video (not embeddable) of the Zoom event.

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

=== Earth views from ISS

** 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

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In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitation report – Jan.30.2026

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

=== International Space Station & NASA

** Crew 11 ended its ISS mission earlier than planned due to a medical issue with an (unnamed) astronaut and returned to Earth on January 15th. This left one US astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts on board the station. Crew 12 with four astronauts could launch to the station as early as Feb.11.

— International Space Station Update: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 | NASA on Youtube

Press conference about the early return of the Crew 11 due to a medical concern with one of the astronauts.

** ISS astronauts complete change of command ahead of Crew-11 medical evacuation | VideoFromSpace

Ahead of the early departure of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 from the International Space Station, due to a medical issue, a change of command ceremony was conducted on Jan. 12, 2026.

** SpaceX Crew-11 undocking and departure | SciNews

SpaceX’s Crew-11 “Endeavour” Crew Dragon spacecraft, with NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui (油井 亀美也), and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov (Олег Платонов), autonomously undocked from the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module, on 14 January 2026, at 22:20 UTC (17:20 EST). Crew-11 is SpaceX’s eleventh operational mission for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The “Endeavour” Crew Dragon previously supported NASA’s Crew-3, Crew-5, and Crew-7 missions.

** NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11: Science in Orbit |  NASA Johnson

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission with agency astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov returned to Earth after a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. During their stay, Cardman, Fincke, and Yui contributed more than 850 hours of research to help prepare humanity for the return to the Moon and future missions to Mars, while improving life back on Earth..

** NASA Astronaut Discusses Life In Space With Columbia Space Initiative – Friday, January 23, 2026 | NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Chris Williams discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Jan. 23 with the Columbia Space Initiative at Columbia University. Williams 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.
Join NASA as we go forward to the Moon and on to Mars — discover the latest on Earth, the Solar System and beyond with a weekly update in your inbox.

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

— Axiom reports on progress in development of the thermal control system:

— Update on Axiom station’s network system:

— An interview with Peggy Whitson, Axiom’s vice president of human spaceflight: Q&A: Axiom’s Peggy Whitson on space station assembly | Aerospace America – Jan.12.2026

If Axiom Space’s plans hold, the first commercial low-Earth orbit space station will be on orbit in 2028.

The Texas company is one of a handful of developers aiming to establish privately owned stations by the time the International Space Station is decommissioned in 2030. Plans call for the initial Axiom Station to be comprised of two modules, the PPTM — short for Payload Power Thermal Module — and a habitat module. The PPTM, which is to be shipped shortly to Houston for final assembly and integration, is slated to be launched in early 2028, with the second module following just months later. From there, Axiom aims to swiftly begin welcoming crew, Peggy Whitson, the company’s vice president of human spaceflight, told me in an interview.

** Blue Origin

— Blue tests docking system:

** Starlab – Voyager Technologies

— Starlab station aims for capability to replace ISS in scale, volume, and continuous human presence: Starlab: The Scale, Volume and Capability Needed to Truly Replace the ISS | Voyager Technologies – Jan.27.2026

— Starlab’s role in development of commercial space economy: Starlab: The Commercial Space Economy’s Essential Infrastructure | Voyager Technologies – Jan.21.2026

… Voyager’s CTO [Paul Tilghman] blog highlighted a critical shift: launch is no longer the bottleneck, but infrastructure and down mass are. Spaceflight is becoming destination and product driven. Without a station, commercial R&D pipelines stall, autonomous systems have nowhere to mature and microgravity manufacturing cannot scale beyond prototypes. The result is what Tilghman describes as the “capability throughput problem.” If industry cannot run missions frequently and reliably, it cannot grow.

Starlab is built to solve this. Designed for continuous human presence, modernized internal volume and simultaneous multi-industry operations, it enables predictable access, repeatable missions and the sustained utilization required for a real orbital marketplace, not episodic experiments.

”Delivered in a single launch, Starlab provides pressurized volume and R&D capacity equivalent to the ISS, ensuring the continuity of ongoing ISS research,” said Dr. Luis Zea, chief scientist, Starlab Space. “Beyond that, it introduces new, first-of-their-kind capabilities that enable exponential growth, unlock entirely new scientific and commercial opportunities, and establish Starlab as the foundational platform on which the next generation of space-based businesses and discoveries will be built.” …

See also One Station, Many Markets: How Starlab Unlocks the Full Commercial Space Economy | Voyager Technologies – Jan.14.2026.

— Starlab advocates for “a full-capability ISS-class station” continuously crewed:

— Voyager Technologies, the company developing the Starlab station, has earned a patent for optical device manufacturing in a microgravity environment: Voyager Secures Breakthrough Patent for Orbital Optical Communications Manufacturing | Voyager Technologies – Jan.14.2026

Voyager Technologies [NYSE: VOYG] has been awarded a patent for an extraterrestrial manufacturing method that produces larger, purer crystals essential to high-performance optical communications – the backbone of Earth’s data centers and the AI-driven global economy. By harnessing microgravity, the patented process delivers material performance beyond what is possible on Earth.

“Optical networks depend on fibers fabricated from crystal structures that are as perfect as materials science can make them,” said Dylan Taylor, chairman and CEO of Voyager Technologies. “This patent underscores our drive to use microgravity to deliver real benefits on Earth and beyond. Ultra-pure, wavelength-engineered crystals are the foundation for faster, cleaner and more resilient optical communications, whether in data centers on the ground or networks in orbit.”

The patented approach allows Voyager to grow crystals that precisely match a specific optical wavelength, producing only the desired signal band with no interference or unintended spectral artifacts. This breakthrough enables unprecedented performance, where higher crystal quality directly improves signal stability and reduces error rates in high-bandwidth systems that support AI and cloud computing.

The patented process uses long-duration microgravity to grow larger and purer crystals free of defects that typically form when crystals grow in stacked layers on Earth. Voyager’s method keeps all seed material in constant motion during ground handling to prevent premature formation, with growth triggered only after reaching microgravity.

Voyager will fly samples to the International Space Station in spring 2026 to validate the method with a grant through the ISS National Laboratory. Patent partners include experts at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, New York University and Universities Space Research Association.

See also Voyager Details its Plans for In-Space Manufacturing | Payload Space – Jan.16.2026 .

— Mitsubishi reserves Starlab capacity: Mitsubishi Corporation Joins Starlab as Major Space Station Customer | Voyager Technologies – Jan.12.2026

Starlab Space LLC today announced that Mitsubishi Corporation has reserved and pre-purchased capacity on Starlab’s commercial space station, becoming a foundational customer while simultaneously increasing their investment in the company and joining Starlab’s Board of Directors through representative Issei Shinohara.

The expanded partnership includes acquisition of usage rights for designated payload volume and utilization of on orbit laboratory facilities on Starlab, positioning Mitsubishi to accelerate space-based research opportunities for Japanese institutions. This customer commitment is accompanied by an expanded equity partnership that brings additional investment to support Starlab’s development.

—  More about Mitsubishi and Starlab:

— Voyager Technologies initiates the VISTA– Voyager Institute for Space, Technology and Advancement – at Ohio State University. VISTA is a

first-of-its-kind U.S. campus dedicated to in-space research, manufacturing and services. Here, the brightest minds in aerospace, robotics, AI and science converge in a dynamic ecosystem built to accelerate discovery, collaboration and commercialization.

Whether you’re an established aerospace company, a fast-moving startup, a leading academic institution, or a government agency, VISTA offers the infrastructure, partnerships and momentum to take your innovations to space.

With access to the International Space Station and future commercial platforms, VISTA tenants can develop the next generation of space-based technologies and services across civil, commercial and national security markets.
As an in-space, platform-agnostic ecosystem, the Science Park will drive advancements across industries and tackle some of the greatest challenges in space-based civil, commercial and national security.

See also:

** VAST

— Update on Haven-1 development and launch:

See also Vast Advances Haven‑1 Into Integration Phase — an update by VAST | VAST – Jan.20.2026

… Haven-1 is an integral part of the company’s hardware-rich development approach that is putting flight-hardware and systems through rigorous ground and in-space testing to accelerate learning, reduce technical and schedule risk, and unlock new commercial and government capabilities in LEO. Haven-1 is designed to expand access to space and provide an affordable platform for microgravity research, manufacturing, and both national and international space infrastructure.

The first phase of Haven-1 integration includes installation of the station’s pressurized fluid systems, including thermal control, life support, and propulsion system tubes, and component trays and tanks. These systems will undergo pressure, leak, and functional testing. The second phase of integration will incorporate avionics, guidance, navigation and control systems, and air revitalization hardware. The third and final phase will complete the vehicle with crew habitation and interior closeouts, exterior micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) shielding, thermal radiator installation, and solar array integration, bringing Haven-1 to a fully flight-ready configuration. Vast remains focused on completing integration and conducting a suite of system environmental tests at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility later in 2026.

Based on the current integration timeline, Vast is updating its schedule for Haven-1 to be ready to launch Q1 2027. Haven-1 is contracted to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. With each milestone, the team gains more data and greater certainty, enabling timelines to become progressively more precise. Haven-1 represents a true zero-to-one development, and as Vast moves on to its second, third, and subsequent stations, schedule precision will continue to improve as systems, processes, and integration maturity increases. Throughout this process, human safety remains the team’s top priority, with development and manufacturing pace carefully balanced to ensure mission integrity. …

See also The first commercial space station, Haven-1, is now undergoing assembly for launch | Ars Technica – Jan.20.2026.

— Interview with Vast’s chief of astronaut training: The astronaut training tourists to fly in the world’s first commercial space station | MIT Technology Review – Jan.12.2026

** More commercial space station articles, news, etc:

=== Chinese space habitats

** Shenzhou-21 Crew Continues with Science Experiments, Life in Orbit | CCTV Video News Agency

Shenzhou-21 Crew Continues with Science Experiments, Life in Orbit

** China Registers Smooth Progress in Space Science Research on Space Station in 2025 | CCTV Video News Agency

China registered smooth progress in carrying out space science research, application experiment and technology test projects aboard the country’s space station in orbit, covering multiple fields such as life sciences, microgravity physics, and new space technologies and applications, according to the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU), the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

=== Russian space habitats

** Update on next-generation Russian space station:

=== Lunar habitation

** An overview of the The Commercial Lunar Economy Field Guide: A Vision for Industry on the Moon in the Next Decade, a US Air Force publication edited by Michael Nayak: A vision for industry on the Moon | Space Settlement Progress – Jan.16.2026

For decades, lunar exploration has followed a “Flags and Footprints” paradigm—symbolic, government-funded missions that are entirely self-reliant, bringing every gram of power, water, and data storage from Earth. The Field Guide argues that this approach, while scientifically valuable and a display of national pride, is economically unsustainable at the current “million-dollar-per-kilogram” cost of delivery. This is in alignment with the EO which calls for enhancing cost-effectiveness of exploration architectures while establishing initial elements of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030 to ensure a sustained American presence on the Moon, which will lay the groundwork for the exploration of Mars.

** Startup company GRU Space aims to build a hotel on the Moon:

GRU builds off-planet habitats using in-situ resource utilization technology, turning local material into building material. Our first habitat will be a hotel on the Moon for space tourists, aiming to open 2032.

In 2029, our demo mission will turn lunar regolith into bricks and demonstrate our modular pressurized habitat system. A second mission will begin laying the hotel’s foundation in a lunar cave. A third mission will open the first lunar hotel.

We don’t stop at Moon hotels. GRU’s long-term plan:

1. Build the first hotel on the Moon. GRU solves off‑world surface habitation.
2. Build America’s first Moon base: roads, mass drivers, warehouses, and physical infrastructure.
3. Repeat on Mars and build the first cities there.
4. Own property on the Moon and Mars as these economies grow.
5. Reinvest profits into resource utilization systems on the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and beyond—reaching our final form: Galactic Resource Utilization.

GRU Space is backed by investors in SpaceX + Anduril, and is part of Nvidia’s Inception program.

See also:

Lunar related articles, news, etc:

=== Space settlement

** Space Architecture and Human Space Living with Melody Yashar | The Space Show,  Broadcast 4484, Friday, January 9, 2026

Our discussion started with a focus on Melodie’s transition from architectural engineering to space architecture, particularly her work on 3D printing concepts for Mars habitats and her journey through various organizations including NASA and Icon. The discussion covered technical challenges and opportunities in space colonization, including the development of lunar and Martian habitats, autonomous systems, and robotic construction capabilities. The panel explored the broader implications of space exploration, including technological benefits for Earth industries and the importance of long-term projects in advancing space settlement goals.

Read on Substack

** Stopping Power! Why Radiation Shielding Is More Than Just Lead Bricks.  | Scott Manley

Radiation Shielding is a standard trope in storytelling, and you may well have heard about different radiation types and how materials work differently. However it’s more complicated that you think, sometimes a shield that’s good for one source is bad for others, and this comes down to the physics of radiation interacting with matter. So here’s an overview of how radiation shielding works and what’s going on at the subatomic level.

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

=== Earth views from ISS

** ISS views with Pink Floyd music:

** Earth and Moon views from the International Space Station – Ignis mission timelapses | European Space Agency (ESA) on Youtube

ESA project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski captured these stunning timelapse videos during his 20-day stay aboard the International Space Station as part of Axiom Mission 4, known as Ignis. Filmed from the Cupola – the Space Station’s iconic seven-windowed observation module – the footage showcases breathtaking views of Earth and the Moon from orbit.

Launched on 25 June 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Sławosz conducted 13 experiments proposed by Polish institutions in collaboration with ESA, plus three ESA-led investigations. These spanned human research, materials science, biology, biotechnology and technology demonstrations.

The Ax-4 mission marks the second commercial human spaceflight for an ESA project astronaut. Ignis was sponsored by the Polish government and supported by ESA, the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology (MRiT) and the Polish Space Agency (POLSA). 

Credit: European Space Agency (ESA)

** Lightning in storm over Milan, Italy as seen from ISS 250 miles above | NASA

NASA Image of the Day, Jan.7.2026:

NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured this image of lightning while orbiting aboard the International Space Station more than 250 miles above Milan, Italy on July 1, 2025. Storm observations from space station help scientists study Earth’s upper atmosphere, which can improve weather models and protect communication systems and aircraft. Space station crew take photographs of Earth that record how the planet changes over time due to human activity and natural events. This record allows scientists to monitor disasters and direct response on the ground and study phenomena.

NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured this image of lightning while orbiting aboard the International Space Station more than 250 miles above Milan, Italy. Image Credit: NASA/Nichole Ayers

** Watching fireworks from the ISS:

** A sunset from the ISS: Watch the Breathtaking Beauty of a Sunset from the ISS| DailyGalaxy – Jan.28.2026

NASA (Jan. 3, 2025) — “An orbital sunset silhouettes the cloud tops above the Pacific Ocean as the atmosphere along the horizon fades from orange to white, then to blue, in this photograph taken from the International Space Station while it orbited 262 miles above Earth.” Credit: NASA/Chris Williams

** 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 Associate Ads ===

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====

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In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitation report – Jan.2.2026

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

** Step Inside the International Space Station (POV Tour)  | NASA

What’s it like to float through the International Space Station?

Come along with us for a guided tour! Our astronauts in low Earth orbit recorded this tour on Oct. 10, 2022, while NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 and Crew-5 missions were aboard.

As you glide through the ISS, pop-ups will appear highlighting each part of the station and what it’s used for—wrapping up with a view of Earth and space through SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. If you’d like even more information, visit our NASA Johnson YouTube account for a version of this video with audio commentary by astronauts Nicole Mann and Kjell Lindgren: • Tour the International Space Station: 25 Y…

For more than 25 years, humans have been living and working on the International Space Station 24/7, helping us learn how to live in space (and prepare for missions to the Moon and Mars) while doing scientific research to make life better back on Earth.

Learn more about the International Space Station: https://www.nasa.gov/iss
Follow daily updates from the station: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation

** How Do Astronauts Unwind in Space?  |  NASA Johnson

After busy workdays aboard the International Space Station, crew members need time to relax and de-stress. From playing musical instruments and exercising to taking photos of our home planet, watch how astronauts practice some of their favorite hobbies 250 miles above Earth.

** Connecting Classrooms to Space: Ham Radio Explainer by NASA Astronaut Nichole Ayers |  NASA Johnson

ARISS (Amateur Radio on the ISS). In this video, NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers walks through the step-by-step p rocess of setting up a live ham radio contact, showing how schools and organizations bridge the gap between Earth and orbit. Learn how amateur radio technology makes these inspiring conversations possible and why ham radio is a powerful tool for sparking curiosity about STEM and space exploration.

Learn more about ham radio in space: https://go.nasa.gov/3T3QHBk

** BBC documentary podcast on the construction of the ISS: United in space: How we built the ISS | BBC Audio – The Documentary Podcast – Dec.21.2025 (50 minutes)

Celebrating 25 unbroken years of humans living in space, former international director of the UK Space Agency Dr Alice Bunn charts how nations put aside differences to create the ultimate symbol of human ingenuity and collaboration – a space station orbiting our planet that has been home to more than 300 people from 24 different nations.

Using mission control audio, news archive and personal stories, Alice illuminates acts of epic survival, humour and selflessness that made the station a reality. She investigates why a near fatal disaster on the Russian Mir space station spurred nations to commit to the ISS, and reveals how a Moscow basement and Hollywood royalty sparked bonding between Russians and Americans. She also discovers how quick thinking and plastic tape saved the station, allowing it to grow to the size of a football pitch, and how one astronaut came within seconds of drowning in space.

Looking into the future, Alice explores how the legacy of the ISS will be carried on by a new generation of private space stations, which have the power to push back the boundaries of science for the good of all humanity. The reduced gravity offers enormous possibilities, including creating materials impossible to create on Earth.

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

— 2025 Axiom Space Recap | Axiom Space Youtube

2025 marked significant achievements for #AxiomStation and #AxEMU and continued success with our 4th human spaceflight mission to the ISS – #Ax4. As we look back and reflect, we look forward to what comes next for #TeamAxiom : https://www.axiomspace.com/news/year-…

— Using Virtual Reality to design the station:

— Axiom tests thruster system:

— Axiom article: Hungary’s 4iG to Invest $100 Million in Axiom Space | European Spaceflight – Dec.22.2025

** Max Space 

— Thunderbird Station | Max Space on Youtube

See how Max Space’s Thunderbird Station launches compactly and expands 20x once deployed in space, greatly increasing habitable volume while radically reducing the cost per m3. This is an evolutionary leap in space real estate for LEO, Moon and Mars.

** Starlab – Voyager Technologies

— 2025 year in review:

— Starlab on X:

** VAST

— 2025 year in review:

— Vast gets NASA and SpaceX veteran as advisor:

— Haven-1 Docking Fit Check | VAST Youtube

Docking is one of the most critical and complex parts of building a space station. In October, we completed a successful docking adaptor fit check, marking another key milestone toward launch. Haven-1’s fully tested passive docking adapter, built to international docking system standards and likely the first-ever manufactured for a commercial station, will enable precise crew-vehicle docking.

=== Chinese space habitats

— Shenzhou-21 Crew Smoothly Push for Experiments in Multiple Fields | CCTV Video News Agency

Almost two months into their mission, the Shenzhou-21 crew have been smoothly pushing for experiments in multiple domains aboard China’s Tiangong space station.

— Mice aboard the China Space Station | SciNews

According to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), four mice were sent into space with the Shenzhou-21 (神舟二十一) crewed spacecraft on 31 October 2025, were housed in a specialised habitat on the China Space Station (中国空间站), and returned to Earth on 14 November 2025, along with the Shenzhou-20 (神舟二十) crew on the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. Since returning, a female mouse has successfully given birth to healthy offspring. Credit: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)/China Central Television (CCTV)

** Hotel Mars presents Rick Fish on Chinese space safety concerns due to stranded Taikonauts on a recent Chinese Space Station mission | John Batchelor and Dr. David M. Livingston of The Space Show +

Broadcast 4468, Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Read on Substack

— Chinese company developing inflatable space habitats:

** More China space habitation news, articles, etc:

=== Space habitation – General

** NSS | The Future of Space Stations: Building Humanity’s Neighborhood in the Stars with Isaac Arthur |  National Space Society on Youtube

From the ISS to the next generation of commercial and deep-space habitats, humanity is building a permanent presence in orbit—our first real neighborhood among the stars.

** BRYCE MEYER – space farming, space food & nutrition | The Space Show – Dec.9.2025

The Space Show present BRYCE MEYER discussing space farming, space food & nutrition, and his new book. by Dr. David M. Livingston

Broadcast 4472; Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

Read on Substack

See also an interview with Bryce Meyer in AI networks for space settlements | Space Settlement Progress – Oct.1.2025.

— Geothermal Power on Icy Worlds: Energy Infrastructure | Ken Wisian | IRG 2025 | Interstellar Research Group on Youtube

As humanity pushes deeper into the solar system and eventually toward interstellar space, reliable long term power infrastructure becomes a critical challenge.

In this IRG 2025 Symposium talk, geophysicist Ken Wisian explores the potential of geothermal energy as a durable, low maintenance power source for planetary bodies and moons far beyond the reach of efficient solar power. Drawing on decades of terrestrial geothermal experience and emerging research in closed loop systems, Wisian outlines how subsurface oceans on icy moons could be tapped to generate continuous electrical power.

The talk compares geothermal energy to traditional deep space power sources such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators, solar panels, and nuclear reactors, highlighting geothermal’s advantages including indefinite operational lifetime, minimal logistics requirements, and scalability. Wisian presents conceptual designs for drilling through ice crusts to subsurface oceans on bodies such as Europa, Enceladus, and other icy moons, leveraging temperature differentials of more than 150 degrees Celsius.

This presentation also examines engineering challenges including drilling techniques, melt probes, directed energy drilling, working fluid selection, thermoelectric versus turbine based power generation, planetary protection concerns, and the role geothermal power could play in future communication nodes, scientific outposts, and interstellar infrastructure.

Learn more about the Interstellar Research Group and upcoming symposia at https://irg.space

— Feeding an Interstellar Generation Ship: Space Agriculture & Life Support| Boris Petrovic | IRG 2025 | Interstellar Research Group on Youtube

How do you feed, sustain, and grow a human population on a multi century interstellar journey?

In this IRG 2025 Symposium talk, Boris Petrovic presents a detailed simulation and systems level approach to feeding future space settlers aboard a hypothetical interstellar generational ship. Drawing on NASA life support data, hydroponic agriculture, algae bioreactors, and closed loop environmental control systems, this work explores how a fully plant based food system could support a crew growing from hundreds to nearly one thousand people over a 250 year mission.

The talk walks through population dynamics, resource constraints, crop rotation models, hydroponic rack design, oxygen and carbon dioxide recycling, water reuse, and energy requirements. Petrovic also discusses how these systems could be applied not only to interstellar missions, but to Mars settlements, low Earth orbit habitats, and future commercial space stations.

This presentation offers a rare quantitative look at food production, life support, and biosphere engineering as foundational challenges for long duration human spaceflight.

=== Lunar habitation

** Lunar Mining and Helium-3 Extraction | Ian Crawford | Tim Ventura on Youtube

Are we on the verge of a “lunar gold rush”? Prof. Ian Crawford discusses lunar mining for Helium-3, rare earths & precious metals and we explore the challenges involved with lunar resource extraction.

Dr. Ian Crawford is a Professor of Planetary Science and Astrobiology at Birkbeck, University of London, where he also serves as Programme Director for Planetary Exploration with Astronomy and Astrobiology.

Professor Crawford’s work sits at the intersection of lunar science and exploration, astrobiology, and the long-term future of space exploration and development. He’s been directly involved in lunar remote-sensing missions — including as a co-investigator on the D-CIXS X-ray spectrometer that orbited the Moon on ESA’s SMART-1 mission, and as chair of the Science Team for the C1XS instrument that flew on India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission.

Professor Crawford’s work sits at the intersection of lunar science and exploration, astrobiology, and the long-term future of space exploration and development. He earned a B.Sc. in Astronomy from University College London in 1982, and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from UCL in 1988.

=== Mars habitation

** Science recommendations from National Academy for initial Mars missions:

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

=== Earth views from ISS

** ISS Timelapse – From Accra to Baku by Night (19 Oct 2025) | AstronautiCAST 

… Original timelapse by Riccardo Rossi (ISAA) – Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License –
Raw photos courtesy of http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/archive

Music: Natural Harmony by Nargo – Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivative 4.0 International License –
https://www.jamendo.com/track/2009502…

Starting from approximately 1800 photographs taken from the International Space Station by Kimiya Yui on October 19th, we created this #timelapse.

This is a nocturnal #ISS flyover from the Gulf of Guinea to the Caspian Sea. Following the lights of the coastal cities in Cameroon and Nigeria, you will notice the darkness of the desert areas in Chad and Libya; the view lights up again once we reach Egypt.

The frame rate of the photographs in this timelapse is not regular, but we decided to share the sequence with you anyway.

The video covers a timeframe of 20 minutes, and is therefore accelerated by approximately 4 times compared to the Station’s real speed.

** An Auroral view from the ISS:

** 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

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ISS after undocking of STS-132

=== Amazon Ads ===

Lego Ideas International Space Station
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