Space habitat reports – Feb.5.2025

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: Historic Spacewalk: Jan. 31, 2025 NASA Johnson

NASA’s Space to Ground is your weekly update on what’s happening aboard the International Space Station.

** An animated view of ISS assembly:

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

— Space Minds with Kam GhaffarianSpaceNews on Youtube

In this week’s episode our guest is Kam Ghaffarian, Chairman, Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines and other companies. Inspired by the Apollo 11 moon landing, starting in his basement, and finally reaching the moon. This is Kam Ghaffarian’s inspirational story.

** Sierra Space

** VAST

** Vast and SpaceX request proposals for research projects on the Haven-1 Lab that will advance progress in long-term human habitation in space: Vast and SpaceX Issue Joint Request for Research Proposals to Advance Long-Term Human Habitation in Space | VAST – Jan.28.2025

Vast and SpaceX announced a joint request for research proposals from the global space science community aimed at advancing long-term human habitation and exploration in space. Building on their established partnership, the two companies seek high-impact research projects to support humanity on Earth and advance our capacity to live and work in Earth orbit and beyond. Submitted proposals will be evaluated based on scientific and technical merit, feasibility, and alignment with mission objectives. Approved research proposals will be able to leverage the capabilities of the Haven-1 Lab, Dragon spacecraft, and/or private astronaut missions to the International Space Station (ISS).

Haven-1 is scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station and crewed microgravity research, development, and manufacturing platform. This groundbreaking facility will enable cutting-edge research and technological advancements, opening new frontiers in space science.

While no direct funding will be provided to the research project, Vast and SpaceX will offer selected researchers access to a hosted orbital laboratory, on-orbit crew time, and support for project design and flight qualification—at no cost.

For additional information and details on how to submit a proposal, please visit SpaceX.com/research.

** Haven-1 Development Update – January 2025VAST Youtube

Here is the latest as we build the team, facilities, and hardware to launch the world’s first commercial space station. Every step brings us closer to redefining space exploration. Stay tuned for more milestones as we make history. We are proud to bring space station primary structure manufacturing back to the United States.

=== Chinese space habitats

** Chinese astronauts welcome Year of the Snake in spaceVideoFromSpace

China’s Shenzhou-19 astronauts sent their Lunar New Year greetings home from the nation’s Tiangong space station to welcome in the Year of the Snake.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Shenzhou-19 space mission crew:
“We are in the space home of the Chinese people, wishing you all a happy Chinese New Year! We wish the people of the whole country good health and all the best in the Year of Snake! May our great motherland enjoy harmony and prosperity!”

** Chinese Astronaut Shares Joys of Life in SpaceCCTV Video News Agency

Chinese astronaut Wang Haoze of the Shenzhou 19 crew shared that her favorite activity in space is to gaze at the breathtaking sceneries of the mountains and rivers of her homeland, savoring the beauty of the Earth from orbit.

Wang Haoze, China’s first female space flight engineer, along with fellow astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong, is on a six-month mission aboard the Tiangong space station. The trio arrived at the orbiting station following the launch of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship on Oct 30 last year.

** Shenzhou-19 Commander Reflects on Mid-Mission Progress, Says Good to Be Back to Space StationCCTV Video News Agency

Chinese astronaut and commander of the Shenzhou-19 space mission Cai Xuzhe shared his experience of returning to the Chinese space station while delivering a mid-mission progress review.

China launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship on Oct 30 last year, sending three astronauts, Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, to the orbiting space station for a six-month mission.

Cai first joined the journey into space as a crew member of the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022. He was honored with the title “Heroic Astronaut” for his service and accomplishments during that mission.

=== In-space habitat technologies

** ThinkOrbital wins NASA NIAC grant to study in-space assembly of large structures: NASA NIAC selects ThinkOrbital | ThinkOrbital – Jan.16.2025

With the Construction Assembly Destination NIAC award, ThinkOrbital will

perform a study to identify the challenges associated with fabricating a shipyard in space using technologies and assets available today. Building on their ISAM&C [In Space Assembly, Manufacturing, & Construction] technology and their expertise in the field, ThinkOrbital will develop CONOPS, preliminary designs, and a cost analysis of deploying a shipyard to low Earth orbit.

More at Space Shipyards Could Build Missions in Orbit | Universe Today – Jan.28.2025

… ThinkOrbital has some pedigree in doing ISAM&C tasks that no one else has done before. In May 2024, they launched and successfully tested the first-ever weld in space. The mission flew on a Falcon 9, spot-welded together some quarter-inch pieces of aluminum, and returned it to Earth, where the welds were closely examined.

They used a method called electron beam welding, which has several advantages for use in space. First, it doesn’t require as much power as a traditional arc welder—only around 2KW, equivalent to a household iron. Second, it doesn’t create a lot of heat, which can degrade the metal being welded and cause issues like splintering, which can become dangerous in zero-gravity situations.

— ThinkOrbital ThinkPlatform-3 Assembly videoThinkOrbital on Youtube

— ThinkOrbital Flight-1: world’s first autonomous in-space weldingThinkOrbital on Youtube

We have launched world’s first autonomous in-space welding system!

We are thrilled to announce that we’ve achieved the majority of our Flight-1 objectives, marking a significant leap forward in space innovation. Our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, from the groundbreaking first-ever autonomous in-space weld to the historic return of flown-in-space Electron-beam welder samples. These samples will be meticulously analyzed by NASA and the European Space Agency, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries.

Throughout this milestone-filled journey, we have:

Designed and built the world’s first autonomous in-space welding system.
Conducted and passed rigorous vibration, shock, and thermal testing.
Garnered FAA and FCC flight authorization.
Successfully launched and landed on Falcon 9 on May 6, 2024.

This is just the beginning of our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of possibility in space exploration. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we chart a course towards new frontiers!

— NASA Just Funded This Project. Assembling Large Structures in Space [NIAC 2025]Fraser Cain

Space Docks are everywhere in science fiction. It’s the most logical way to build big constructions in space. So, NASA funded a futuristic project that studies the possibility of assembling structures in space.

Guest: Dr Vojtech Holub
https://thinkorbital.com/

NIAC award, Construction Assembly Destination:
https://www.universetoday.com/170640/…
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stm…

00:00 Intro
01:26 Welding in space experiment
08:03 The NIAC award
27:39 Current obsessions
30:01 Final thoughts and more interviews

** Overview article about rotating habitats to simulate gravity: A potpourri of artificial gravity topics | Space Settlement Progress – Jan.29.2025

In this month’s post we explore a few concepts and challenges related to artificial gravity (AG) that when explored and understood will enable human’s to live healthy lives and thrive in space. First up, Austria-based architect and civil engineer Werner Grandl, a researcher of space stations and space colonies, and mechanical engineer Clemens Böck describe their concept for the evolving construction of a spinning Artificial Gravity Orbital Station (AGOS) in this Research Gate working paper. AGOS is envisioned as a potential successor to the International Space Station (ISS).

=== Lunar habitation

** How NASA Plans to Revolutionize Lunar ExcavationNASA’s Kennedy Space Center

How does NASA plan to use resources on the surface of the Moon?

One method is the ISRU Pilot Excavator, or IPEx!

Designed by Kennedy Space Center’s Swamp Works team, the primary goal of IPEx is to dig up lunar soil, known as regolith, and transport it across the Moon’s surface.

Learn more about IPEx: https://www.nasa.gov/isru-pilot-excav…

** Derek Webber on The Space Show – Jan.24.2025 – Lunar Commerce, Moon vs Mars, etc

Derek Webber returned to the program to discuss his excellent new book, “Lunar Commerce: A Primer [Amazon commission link].” During the hour and 45 minutes we engaged in a detailed discussion about lunar commerce from what we can do now to a long time in the future. Part of this discussion centered on going to Mars, the Moon as a digression, then new Trump Administration lunar and/or Mars policy, cislunar, launchers, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and so much more. We had several listener calls plus multiple emails with a few listeners sending us multiple emails as extensions of their first one. Derek’s book names companies, policies, all sorts of good items are jam packed into the nearly 200 pages jammed pack with excellent information.

=== Mars habitation

** “A science-driven program that could get astronauts on the Red Planet by 2031”: The Mars Dream Is Back — Here’s How to Make It Actually Happen | Robert Zubrin/The New Atlantis – Spring 2025

America now has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to open the space frontier by initiating a sustained program of human exploration of Mars. Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship launch system will soon be operational, offering payload delivery capability comparable to a Saturn V Moon rocket at about five percent of the cost. Musk has positioned himself close to President Donald Trump, who at his inauguration in January promised that his administration would be “launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.” As far as meeting the central political and technical conditions for making a bold reach to the Red Planet are concerned, it’s game on.

There are, however, several problems. First and foremost, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency that one would expect to lead such an endeavor, is currently not competent to do so. And while SpaceX is far more competent, it should not be put into the position of executing a Mars mission alone, as some would like. NASA needs to be leading the effort because America should go to Mars, not just a private space enterprise. But to effectively lead human space exploration, NASA first needs to be fixed.

=== Space settlement

** Broadcast 4325 JOHN JOSSY, Space Settlement 2025 | The Space Show

We welcomed John Jossy back to the show, especially at the last minute when the planned guest cancelled due to illness. John brought us current on space settlement matters as we start the new year with a new administration. Our topics in the mentioning of a new space film documentary, the Gerald Black Space Review article on phasing out SLS and Orion, Starship impact, the new Dr. Joel Sercel of TransAstraYouTube video on creating civilizations in space, plus John’s own list of special items including links to the relative subjects and materials. John also posted a short agenda items list of his discussion point on the blog for this program.

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

=== Earth views from ISS

** Night Lights and AuroraUCTVInsight

Enjoy the creativity of astronaut Don Pettit, currently on his 4th mission aboard the ISS, as he captures surreal photos of Earth. His long-duration exposures reveal tracks of urban night lights as the ISS passes over. The stars show their own curving pattern, and the aurora adds even more mystery. This magical dance is accompanied by the music of Chilean composer Mario Quiroga. He is a “musico-terapista” (musical therapist), who creates floating music with his digital synthesizers, designed to help soothe the soul. Here we feature his “Aurora Boreal” composition, like a musical magic carpet as we soar over these ethereal views. Recorded on 11/9/2024. 

** 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
Toy Blocks, Present, Space, Boys, Girls, Ages 16 and Up

====

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

Night sky highlights for February 2025

Check out the night sky this month, February 2025. Here are videos and links to websites highlighting the top sights to observe.

** What’s Up: February 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL

What are some skywatching highlights in February 2025?

Venus blazes at its brightest in the early evening, despite being only a slim crescent through the telescope eyepiece. Mars and Jupiter to rule the night sky after Venus sets, amid the menagerie of bright winter stars in Orion, Taurus, and Gemini. And enhance your astronomy IQ by knowing the difference between a conjunction and an appulse.

0:00 Intro
0:13 Moon & planets
0:41 Appulses
1:39 Venus at maximum
2:51 February Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatch….

Sky chart showing Jupiter and Mars high overhead after nightfall in February. Credits:
NASA/JPL-Caltech

** Venus and Mars dominate the sky. What’s in the night sky tonight, February 2025BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal what’s visible in the night sky this month, including bright Venus dominating the sky in February 2025. Look out for Venus, Saturn and Uranus near the crescent Moon on the evening of 1 February.

Mars and Jupiter continue to dazzle, a particular highlight being a meeting between Mars and the Moon on 9 February 2025.

Also, February marks a final chance to enjoy and explore the constellation Orion before it disappears from view.

** February Podcast: Planets Amid Winter’s Stars – Sky & Telescope

See also

** What’s in the Night Sky: February 2025 – National Space Centre

What’s in the Night Sky: February 2025

Aristarchus Crater
Moon and Mars
Seven Sisters
✨ Constellation of the Month: Taurus

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, looking at the night sky with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope, check out our Tour of the Night Sky to find out what you can see this month.
#wins #Astronomy #WhatsInTheNightSky

** What’s in the Sky this Month | February 2025High Point Scientific on Youtube

In this episode of What’s in the Sky this Month, Teagan reviews some of the beautiful celestial objects you can see in February!

Read the full February 2025 Newsletter: https://www.highpointscientific.com/a…

Looking to expand your astronomy knowledge even further? The Astronomy Hub is the place to learn everything from what’s in the sky this month, to what gear can help you capture the best celestial images. Learn more here ➡️ https://www.highpointscientific.com/a…

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:31 – Moon Occults the Pleiades
01:17 – Nearest Neighbors
02:12 – Clown Face Nebula
03:02 – Messier 50
03:43 – Messier 67
04:15 – Tegmine
04:42 – Conclusion

** Night Sky Notebook February 2025Peter Detterline

** See also:

=== Amazon Ads ===

Celestron
70mm Travel Scope
Portable Refractor Telescope
Fully-Coated Glass Optics
Ideal Telescope for Beginners
BONUS Astronomy Software Package

—- Books —

Stellaris: People of the Stars