Blue Origins expects the Orbital Reef space station to be operational by the second half of this decade. (Image Credit: Blue Origins)
Recently, Blue Origin announced that it plans to build an enormous private space station called Orbital Reef. It serves as a place for space tourists, industrial and commercial customers to visit and work while hosting science experiments. The company says it expects to have the space station fully operational during the second half of this decade. Blue Origins formed a partnership with Sierra Space for this project while working with Boeing, Redwire Space, Genesis Engineering Solutions, and Arizona State University.
Both Blue Origin and Sierra Space announced plans to finance the space station together. However, they didn’t release any details on how much it costs to build.
Orbital Reef will provide living arrangements for various customers and areas to perform scientific experiments. (Image Credit: Blue Origins)
Orbital Reef is also expected to be nearly as big as the International Space Station while having sufficient space to house ten people. It will feature separate areas for science experiments and living. The station also operates like a “mixed-use business park.” Varying customers can use the space station through its “open system architecture.” Blue Origin says that space agencies, travel companies, entrepreneurs and investors, tech companies, and more could use the facility. Customers can take advantage of the “end-to-end” services, allowing them to seek transportation, lease space, hardware assistance, and robotic services.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, which is currently being developed, will deliver the Orbital Reef’s modules into space. Smaller parts could be launched on other spacecraft, including Boeing’s Starliner, but many larger modules and systems are being designed according to New Glenn’s capacity and design. The New Glenn rocket, expecting its maiden flight in 2022, is being designed to transport people and cargo into orbit.
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