Other Space Stations Beyond the ISS - Being built and Concepts

[catdlr]

Jul 21, 2024
The International Space Station is currently scheduled to come to an end in 2030, but before then, we're hoping that there will be other space stations for humans to visit, from small single module stations like Vast's Haven-1 to the massively ambitious modular Orbital reef. These will move space stations from being government projects to the private sector, ideally in the same way that rocket launches became a commercial operation. The US has four leading candidates, with Europe, Canada, and Japan already making deals, so humanity's presence in low Earth orbit should continue uninterrupted going forward.

[JSz]

It is worth noting that on the US part of the ISS, formally one module was European (Columbus), but most were made in Europe by either Thales Alenia or Airbus, i.e. Columbus, 3 x MPLM, Cupola, Harmony and Tranguinity. Similarly, on the future Gateway, both habitats are already made by Thales Alenia (HALO and i-Hab).

As for the post-ISS stations, we don't know everything, but it is already known that the largest module size will be the Starlab station (Airbus). Rafaello (Thales) recovered from the ISS will be incorporated into the Axiom station.

We have no certain information on who will make the other modules and stations, but presumably they will be made already in the USA. Orbital Reef will be done mainly by Boeing, only the inflatable LIFE is done by Sierra. Haven-1 - I think by Vast, and Axiom by itself, except that for the latter station some modules will be produced by Gravitics.

[jebbo]

Axiom is using Thales Alenia (at least for AxH1)

[thrwnt]

Axiom is using Thales Alenia (at least for AxH1)

Gravitics will also build a module.
https://www.gravitics.com/news/axi4css

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

It isn't clear to me which module this is suppose to be. There's a little more discussion in the Gravitics thread:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=56665.100

[JSz]

According to my understanding, this module to be built by Gravitics is not any of the modules that Axiom writes about on its website (https://www.axiomspace.com/axiom-station), namely: Ax-H1, Ax-H2, Ax-RMF and Ax-PTM. In addition, there was talk some time ago of an inflatable, 6-m SEE-1 module from UK company Space Entertainment Enterprise. There is still talk of including a Rafaello module (MPLM) taken over from the ISS.

Since Axiom is also talking about the later development of its station, I think only then will some Gravitics module be attached.

[Rik ISS-fan]

As far as I know, Thales Alenia Space is the contractor that made most pressurized modules of the ISS. They currently build the pressurised module for cygnus, the structures for I-hab and HALO. They are main contractor for ESPRIT (gateway). And lastly they are fabricating the structure for Axiom AxH1& AxH2.
If I'm not mistaken, the Raffaelo MPLM is being converted into AxRMF. T.A.S. most likely provides a MMOD protection kit for the module to Axiom. Axiom is most likely themselfes going to turn the structures (H & RMF) into functional modules by installing all systems in the module structures.

The structure provided by Gravitics will most likely also be finished by Axiom themselfes.
I'm not aware who Axiom contracted to manufacture the propulsion modules for the station segments. And the CBM to IDSS structures and their window module as well. Most likely they will do this themselves.

[jarmumd]

Is there a difference between Module and spacecraft?

from their press release:
"Gravitics, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a $125-million contract by Axiom Space to provide a pressurized spacecraft that will support Axiom Station operations. "

[JSz]

In my opinion, structurally no, if we are not considering spacecrafts having the possibility of returning to Earth. However, the differences are in their use: the modules are elements of a larger structure...

[DanClemmensen]

In my opinion, structurally no, if we are not considering spacecrafts having the possibility of returning to Earth. However, the differences are in their use: the modules are elements of a larger structure...

Modules are not designed for standaline operation and do not need independent attitude control. Spacecraft do.