In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Space habitat reports – Apr.24.2025

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: One in a Million: April 18,2025 |  NASA Johnson

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

** NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Soyuz MS-26 Undocking [Apr.19.2025] | NASA

Watch as NASA astronaut Don Pettit, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, undock from the International Space Station and begin their voyage back to Earth.

The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft is set to undock from the space station at 5:57 p.m. EDT (2157 UTC), heading for a parachute-assisted landing at 9:20 p.m. EDT (0120 UTC or 6:20 a.m. Kazakhstan time, Sunday, April 20) on the steppes of Kazakhstan, southeast of the town of Dzhezkazgan. Landing will occur on Pettit’s 70th birthday.

** Watch Soyuz approach and dock to the ISS [Apr.8.2025]:

** NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Turns the Camera on Science | NASA

NASA astronaut Don Pettit is scheduled to return home in mid-April 2025 after a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 72. Throughout his stay, Pettit contributed to research that benefits humanity and future space missions, and delighted photography enthusiasts around the world with his unique point of view.

Pettit also shared what he calls his “science of opportunity” to demonstrate how experimenting with our surroundings can help gain a better understanding of how things work. This understanding is enhanced when art, science, and microgravity come together.

More: https://go.nasa.gov/3RmKPB9

** Between a Rocket & A Hard Space: Episode 2 with NASA Astronaut Jonny Kim | ISS National Lab

The ISS National Lab’s official podcast, Between a Rocket and a Hard Space, is back with an out-of-this-world second episode. Hear from NASA astronaut Jonny Kim in his first one-on-one downlink conversation since arriving onboard the ISS last week.

** How Do Astronauts Practice Self-Care in Space?  |  NASA Johnson

Everyone needs a little self-care. But what’s that look like for astronauts orbiting 250 miles above Earth? See how crew members may turn to music, movies, and more to unwind and recharge.

Learn more about the ongoing research exploring human health in space at NASA’s Human Research Program: www.nasa.gov/hrp

** A Cislunar Fizz, Please: Social Drinking in Space | National Space Society on Youtube

As more humans venture into orbit and beyond, even happy hour will need a space suit. In this episode, we explore the science, risks, and social dynamics of drinking alcohol in zero gravity—from altered metabolism to waste management and evolving spaceflight etiquette. What does responsible consumption look like off-Earth, and how might it shape the culture of future space habitats?

ISDC 2025: https://isdc.nss.org
Check out Ad Astra Magazine: https://nss.org/ad-astra-the-magazine…

** Japanese astronaut takes command of space station in on-orbit ceremony | VideoFromSpace

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi was handed the key to the International Space Station by Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin in a change of command ceremony on April 18, 2025.

** SpaceX CRS-32 Dragon cargo spacecraft approaches ISS in time-lapse | VideoFromSpace

The SpaceX CRS-32 Dragon cargo capsule docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on April 22, 2025. See it approach the orbital outpost in this time-lapse.

** The ‘riskiest period’ of the ISS’ existence | SpaceNews

=== Commercial space habitats

** Axiom Space

— Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS is set for May:

** Blue Origin

— Orbital Reef mockups used to test station components and operations: NASA Sees Progress on Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef Design Development | NASA – Apr.16.2025

A NASA-supported commercial space station, Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef, recently completed a human-in-the-loop testing milestone as the agency works toward developing commercial space stations in low Earth orbit.

The human-in-the-loop test scenarios utilized individual participants or small groups to perform day-in-the-life walkthroughs in life-sized mockups of major station components. Participants provided feedback while simulating microgravity operations, including cargo transfer, trash transfer, stowage, and worksite assessments.

— On Earth Day 2025, Blue highlights the benefits of space for the home planet:

** Sierra Space

— Sierra offers expertise in growing plants in space:

** VAST

— Space Symposium attendees could tour the full-scale Haven-1 mockup:

Several photos included in this post: Vast at the 40th Annual Space Symposium | VAST – Apr.15.2025.

— Vast signing up payloads for Haven-1 mission: Vast Announces Three Additional Payload Partners for the Haven-1 Lab: JAMSS, Interstellar Lab, and Exobiosphere | VAST – Apr.8.2025

Vast, the pioneering space habitation technology company, announced today Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS), Interstellar Lab, and Exobiosphere as the latest payload partners for its Haven-1 Lab, the world’s first commercial crewed microgravity research and manufacturing facility in space—unlocking a new era of orbital innovation through a fully commercial platform. Launching inside Haven-1, the world’s first commercial space station, the lab is on track for deployment in May 2026 and is already nearing full capacity.

The three companies—leaders in space systems, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical research—join existing Haven-1 Lab partners Redwire and Yuri, reinforcing Vast’s mission to enable international collaboration in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and accelerate scientific breakthroughs that benefit humanity and support long-term space habitation. The new partners will leverage the microgravity environment of the Haven-1 Lab by installing payloads focused in the areas of advanced materials development, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical development.

See also Vast signs three more payload partners for Haven-1 | SpaceNews – Apr.10.2025

— Vast and NASA’s ISS National Lab sign cooperation agreement: Vast Signs Agreement to Leverage International Space Station (ISS) National Lab | VAST – Apr.10.2025

Vast, a pioneering company in space habitation technology, has signed a strategic agreement with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS) to support scientific research through the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory. This milestone partnership reinforces Vast’s commitment to advancing space-based research and strengthens its position as a key player in NASA’s private astronaut missions (PAM) to the ISS.

CASIS, manager of the ISS National Lab, awarded the partnership based on Vast’s innovative spacecraft designs and its forward-thinking technical and commercial approach—elements that are poised to enhance in-orbit service technologies, expand access to the ISS for new user groups, and benefit life for humanity through space-based research.

Under the agreement, CASIS will collaborate on initiatives proposed by Vast designed to accelerate advancements in scientific discovery, commercial applications, and space station technology. The agreement also supports Vast’s plans to conduct research proposed by astronauts and agencies collaborating on future NASA private astronaut missions.

** Haven-1’s Journey Continues – March 2025 Update | VAST Youtube

We’re making steady progress toward the launch of Haven-1, documenting key hardware milestones and development updates along the way. Explore our most recent accomplishments as we track toward our targeted launch in May 2026 of the world’s first commercial space station.

=== Chinese space habitats

** Shenzhou-19 crew’s space mission countdown: Astronauts conduct experiments and prepare for return | CNSA Watcher – Archives

【#TiangongTV# | “Space business trip” enters countdown!】Shenzhou-19 crew’s “space business trip” enters countdown! Last week, three astronauts conducted various space science experiments while progressing with preparations for the return as planned. Let’s see what projects are on their “to-do list”! (Source: China Manned Space Engineering Office) Space dream’s Weibo video

Source: https://m.weibo.cn/status/Po7CMBUIQ

** Shenzhou 19 Crew on Tiangong Space Station for Over 150 Days, Returning Soon | CNSA Watcher – Archives

The Shenzhou 19 crew has been on the Chinese space station for over 150 days. Astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, Wang Haoze are in good physical and mental condition, making progress in space science experiments and test tasks. According to the plan, they will return to Earth around May 1st.

** New Lunar Soil Brick Machine for Moon Building | CNSA Watcher Archives

This should be one of the devices that Chang’e 8 will take to the lunar surface. How to make bricks on the moon? How to build houses? Reporters recently visited the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei, Anhui Province, and visited the principle prototype of the “Lunar Soil Brick Machine” independently developed by Chinese researchers – the lunar soil in-situ 3D printing system. The “Lunar Soil Brick Machine” is mainly composed of an optical focusing module and a forming manufacturing module. Its working principle is through… full text.

Source: https://m.weibo.cn/status/PoAApiRHt

=== Lunar habitation

** Space Symposium 2025 | Inside Lockheed Martin’s Expandable Moon Habitat with Uy Doung | SpaceWatch.Global TV

On the final day of the 40th Space Symposium, Yvette Gonzalez had the pleasure of stepping inside Lockheed Martin’s expandable lunar habitat module and speaking with Uy Doung, Chief Engineer for Commercial Civil Space at Lockheed Martin.

What’s inside this next-gen module?
Rather than traditional metallic structures, this design features multi-layered soft goods, offering:
• 4x the safety factor of metallic modules (compared to the 2x standard)
• Up to 50% mass savings
• Ability to compress to 1/5 of its expanded volume to fit within standard launch fairings

Uy’s team is building on NASA’s early TransHab concepts and evolving them into a decoupled architecture, delivering more predictable performance and greater strength in extreme conditions.

Why it matters:
As we move toward permanent lunar infrastructure, lightweight, compact, and robust structures like this one will be game-changers for the mass, cost, and versatility of missions.

“This technology could truly transform the lunar landscape,” We said. After seeing it in person, I agree — it’s practical, visionary, and real.

This was Yvette’s first Space Symposium and she is leaving inspired by the innovation, energy, and dedication to building the future of off-world living.

=== Space settlement

** John Bachelor Show – Hotel Mars: Laura Montgomery, Atty. | The Space Show

John Batchelor and Dr. David Livingston interviewed space law expert Laura Montgomery on April 16th:

Laura Montgomery, Atty, was back with us to stress the importance of establishing space property rights for the commercial industry and future plans for space development. She went over laws, regulations, policies and treaties and made a very strong case for property rights. In addition, she suggested how to accomplish with space development and was U.S. laws would be to use as models, precedent and planning.

And a longer interview with Montgomery was done on The Space Show on March 19th:

** An interesting overview of Moon and Mars development in light of SpaceX Starship capabilities: Space policy: The Moon and Mars simultaneously | The Space Review – Apr.12.2025

In a nutshell, this article proposes that America’s human spaceflight (HSF) policy be directed to go both to the Moon and Mars simultaneously for exploration and the development of permanent bases. This is based upon accepting the likelihood of the emergence of multiple heavy-lift commercial transportation systems that will be far more cost-effective than NASA’s current plans. The idea that we cannot go to Mars without establishing a base on the Moon is not obviously true and something that SpaceX certainly does not believe.

A discussion of the article on the Space Frontier Foundation Youtube channel:

** Children of the Sky: Raising Kids In Space | SpaceRip

The coming generation of larger, much less expensive rockets (from SpaceX, Blue Origin and others) is propelling dreams of permanent settlements beyond Earth. But can a space community truly be said to exist before the first child is born there? Can Mars ever really be a good place to raise kids? What are the risks around pregnancy and childbirth off-planet? Who should get to decide if space is safe enough for children? Would you edit your child’s genome to permanently adapt them to a different world? Can a child raised in space ever return to Earth? Might the children of the Solar System someday strike out for the stars? Six renown experts help us explore these and other challenging questions, as we witness kids in amazing situations far beyond the world of our species’ birth. A “Children of the Sky” documentary.

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

=== Earth views from ISS

** Sunshine on Earth – NASA

The Sun’s glint beams off a partly cloudy Atlantic Ocean just after sunrise as the International Space Station orbited 263 miles above on March 5, 2025. The space station serves as a unique platform for observing Earth with both hands-on and automated equipment. Station crew members have produced hundreds of thousands of images, recording phenomena such as storms in real time, observing natural events such as volcanic eruptions as they happen, and providing input to ground personnel for programming automated Earth-sensing systems.

“The sun’s glint beams off a partly cloudy Atlantic Ocean just after sunrise as the International Space Station orbited 263 miles above on March 5, 2025.” Image Credit: NASA

** 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

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