What Life Inside The Orbital Reef Space Station Will Be Like!

Space development is going to be like the internet's development. The internet developed slowly for decades and then, boom, massive investment and exponential growth hit almost overnight. I think we're on the cusp of that right now in space development. When Starship starts working, everybody and their uncle is going to try to get into the game, and then the fun begins. Private space stations, moon bases, asteroid mining and things we haven't thought of yet will start coming in AHEAD of schedule because to fall behind is to lose the race. The bad new is WW3 will probably start in the Shackleton crater.

Axiom Space is going to be the world's first commercial space station. Orbital Reef is a concept at best, and knowing BO it'll fly in 20 years.

A lot of what made the ISS so expensive to build was the limited launch capability of the time, the expense of the Space Shuttle, the delays caused by 3-4 redesigns of the ISS as its mission changed and just the stretching out of the length of time of the construction.
(It turns out that when you slow development by limiting funds, it usually ends up costing MORE than if you just bite the bullet and "get 'er done".)
If New Glenn ever gets operational, not only its fairing will be large, but its payload capacity will be significant - on the order of the Falcon Heavy. If its reusability pans out, that will also cut the cost of payload to orbit. Couple that with the inflatable module technology, and you get a lot of internal volume for less cost.
Also, the Orbital Reef will be constructed more like the Chinese and Russian space stations in that it will be a bunch of modules simply docked together. No stupid truss segments to construct. Hopefully, they will have some of the better ideas of the ISS, such as wiring and duct work that goes outside of the station rather than inside the passageways between modules, like on Mir. (That created quite a problem on Mir when the fire broke out, because they had to remove duct work and wiring between modules before they could seal off a section.)
I think they can beat the Chinese cost effectiveness once they get the launch vehicles in place.

Sounds very optimistic in both cost and time. However, if bold goals are not put in place nothing tends to happen. Better to extend the time lines than have it flounder on the table and never start.
Elon may need something like the 'Reef' for Mars anyway. A staging platform to prepare for Mars launches. Then a similar staging platform at the Mars. Perhaps it will be more efficient to build and load large scale vehicles to move cargo between staging platforms and use smaller craft to ferry the cargo to the surface. "Teamsters in Sppaaccceee".

I sure wish Blue Origin would get something launched into LEO, at least, soon. then I would have more faith in efforts like the Orbital Reef. In any case, I hope it succeeds and wish them all the luck.

I want so much for blue origin, Sierra space and Boeing to succeed but their collective innovative wheel moves entirely too slow. Boeing is heavily weighed down by bureaucracy, blue origins throws money at problems without any legitimate engineering solutions. Sierra is late in the game but has plenty of potential. I sincerely hope they all succeed. By they need to change how they do things and get out of an antiquated methodology of innovation and tech advancement. Let's go team ..... get it done by taking chances while maintaining safety.

I really hope this design will be expandable where that center column could be expanded and more inflatable habitats could go in more people going to space and size those things would bring people's awareness to our community is better

Everything really hinges on having New Glenn, Vulcan, and Starship all flying operationally. Once those are reliably going to space any huge space station module can be sent up very quickly and cheaply.

Great as usual!
(ha ha especially at 10.50 =) )
No seriously:
Couldn't Spaceex do it significantly cheaper, since they can launch rockets significantly cheaper than the others combined?
They have also talked about building a space station, so what happened with that?
And with new construction modules and construction robots in space from Offworld Industries (former Gateway spaceport) we can have this up and running within four years (in mine and Elon time ;) )
Why does everything take so long and cost so much?
If everyone just gets together and agrees, this wouldn't be as impossible as it sounds..

My hope is pinned on Starship , with a 9m diameter and expendable version with over 1000 cubic meters of living space.
IF Starship only ever works getting to orbit(booster reusable) and needing Dragon capsules for crew. it will make Orbital reef obsolete and a very expensive alternative.
Hoping to see the first test flight and also a the test of SpaceX's new EVA suit tested by a dragon crew of 4 in space this summer.

Thanks for sharing. There might be a easier if not cheaper way to create a space station. When Starship is fully functional they can launch a freighter version whith a Dodecahedron shaped docking node then in time 12 Crew rated Starships can dock to form a pincushion like space station. All SpaceX will have to do is to figure out how to get a docking port at the pointy end of a reusable Starship to make this a remarkable Space Station. Imagine, they can optimize each craft for different tasks like habitats, science labs and so on. The fact that it's reusable will enable them to bring them back for refit with more modern stuff. 😉

I’m wondering why Sierra’s primary stage isn’t reusable? It could save them some money.

How funny would it be if Sierra finished their development in time, and ended up partnering with Axiom with SpaceX for transport and finishing some other concept by 2030 while orbital reef gets delayed by 20 years due to blue origin?

The Dreamchaser shuttle looks a lot like the test ship of John Criteon in the show Farscape.

it's a pity that space stations do not last long --- even during my lifetime I have seen several come and go like MIR being the most remarkable

I hope Orbital Reef takes orbit however Jeff Bezo's Blue Origin places a huge question mark on this project

Love your personal add-ins man. I now desperately want to hear about the space balloon man who lost his mind while looking for ghosts!

I really enjoy your two channels. Thanks for what you do man. 😎

Just one more question, if they’re calling it an orbital reef, will it be possible to attach additional have modules onto each module

I reckon it would be awesome , I thought by now we would have had big space station and a moon base as well ,,if I was loaded with money I would want to be a business partner in on the action just for the fun of it all... I hope it all happens in the next couple of years

Given the companies associated with this project and their past performances, I have no expectation that this will happen in the next 50 years.

I would think AI robotics would be a good way about this for construction.

Is SpaceX considering building their own space station? I figured they wanted to since they'll have to eventually dock Starships out in space that aren't designed to re-enter Earth's atmosphere.

Dream chaser is meant for 7 people not 12. The habitat module can accommodate up to 12 people.

The Reef could be adjusted or expanded for tourist purposes. The first Space Hotel :)

I'm curious if it can be made from wood too? I heard that there is an experiment going on its natural wood no clue but pins. It is made from cross laminated timber

AI is going to impact the space race in ways that will be amazing. It will help cut costs and therefore ramp up timeframes as opposed to the current opposite.

how long do you think it will be before spaceX will have their own station

They really need to get some sort of gravity solution and radiation protection too.

My bet would be if Elon likes this type of idea for SpaceX, he'd make it happen within a few short years. Starship, when fully operational, could carry the whole Reef in probably 2 launches. But knowing Elon, he'd think bigger and more functional for his own ''reef'' and it might take a few more launches. He could put the whole thing in orbit in about a month though once his fleet is built up some. ;-)

The biggest problem with ORSS is that they have tied their fortunes to Blue Origins New Glenn which, because of many reasons, will not launch for another 10 years, if it launches at all.

Space X is realistically the only company that could get a Space Station in orbit by 2027, but they have other goals and projects going on with NASA and Space Force. LEt's see how far Blue Origin can get.

Eventually (we should hope) there will be rules demanding that the booster stages must be able to land again (SpaceX style), this would significantly decrease waste, and further garbage thrown into the ocens. (The oceans is where we get 99% of our oxygen from, so throwing garbage into the oceans is akin to what smoking does to your lungs)

Would it be possible to use Starship as a space station?

Blue Origin seems to be having trouble with success. Too bad SpaceX can't take over and get the job done. The inflatable habitat modules would make me nervous. Watching those tests where they over pressurize them and they explode is rather visually alarming.

Without re-usability this wont be financial enough to go long term, the concept looks awesome though.

$20 says Orbital Reef is never more than a 'power point presentation'.

Dream Chaser Tenacity was not the one doing the drop tests in 2017. It was an engineering test article that was dropped. Tenacity has not flown yet, as it is the first one built for orbit and plans to fly the demo CRS mission to the ISS in 2023, before the rest of the 6 mission CRS flights.

Haven't actually built new glenn yet... but its doing really well in kerbal!!

They should make the orbital reef more like Deep Space 9.

I think that it's going to be a million more years to get to the Enterprise 1701. 😁

Starship booster…perfect size for modules…9 metres in diameter

I think if blue origin do not get going asap then space x will put the reef into space and service it when starship succeeds.

I'm still of an opinion that if we want to get serious on mass space deployment we need active support launch rails
Bonus to this infrastructure is it doubles as energy storage and transmission over large distance
Funny enough, building it is actually within NASA budget possibilities

Blue Origin hasn't even gotten into space yet. I wouldn't hold my breath.

These are all cool. But what about space elevators? Carbon nanotubes and graphene are coming out. They are becoming much more cost efficient now. Please make a video about that.

Which company will the first one to build the first rotating space station?
40 modest sized modules that are each 8 meters long would be enough to build a ring with a diameter of at least 100 meters.

Instead of a linear station, make the pieces in a ring to allow some gravity from spin...

I'm not too excited until I see a rotating station with centrifugal force simulated gravity.

What a beautiful, magnificent space station. Bezos finally doing something good, can't knock him for that.

Wouldn't it be "Jeff Basos will serve as the first SpaceLord!" not "Landlord"?

I think that Blue Origin is the weak link in Orbital Reef. They keep losing top talent and their management structure is critically inflexible. Love Sierra Space though.

Blue Origin needs to put something in orbit first

i wouldnt say Bigalow lost his mind or went crazy, rather he was psy-opped out of the space business for others to take over. For poor Bigalow the supernatural subsided once takeover complete. Makes one wonder..

If the space reef doesn’t pan out he won’t have Elon to blame or sue. Lol

Are they testing for micro meteor strikes that can hit at speeds of 15kmph?

Sounds like something George Lucas, Gene Roddenberry and Stanley Kubrik would come up with !

A new goal for private competition should be development of artificial gravity systems.

I'm 50 years old and I know I will never visit space but all my life I have wanted to.

A ladder (around 8:05) to get to other levels? Why not just 'float' there?

I don't think I would want to live in an inflatable habitat in space with space debris flying around up there.

What about the Axiom Station & Starlab projects?

As I get closer to retirement (70+), Orbital Reef looks better and better.

If the habitats are inflatable, what is protecting them from ballistic space debris? 🤯

This is the first I've heard about Bigelow's founder. So that's what happened!

SpaceX could beat this by launching 2 starships fitted out with solar panels, docking bays and whatever else is needed for a space station, rendezvous and assemble the station providing over 2000 m3 of habitable volume…

Can Dream Chaser take off from a Boing 7787....
?

I would like to be there and be part of that.Permanently.

this is pure science..

What about Ocean Exploration XD and Under Sea stations :p I'd love to be a artist in space!

Blue origin should just merge with Space x, then we'd see much faster progress.

whats the ladder for? climbing up and down?

Blue Origin and Boeing... So they really don't want to make this project come to life.

I'm guessing if they truly want to start this project, they're gonna have to suck it up and ask nicely for Elon Musk to assist with these launches. He is the number 1 provider of crew and supplies to the iss currently. That and he's the cheapest.

I remember growing up at 10 i heard 3 years from mars😅 its a nice dream but 100s of years off.. 60 years on from supposedly landing of moon to starship blowing up... hilarious 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I really like how Dream Chaser looks like Farscape 1.

the new station needs rotating artificial gravity!

New life goal: Make enough money to tour space in the first wave of tourists

This shouldn't take years to build...and if you put engines on the back you have a ship that go places.

Forget about Blue Origin... that feather is destined to be blown away

How many trips worth of rockets are they planning on dropping in the ocean? Soon you'll have to go to space to see a reef

The beginning of the video showed a circular ship spinning in space - thus creating artificial gravity. This avoids all of the health problems associated with long-term micro gravity. In my opinion they won’t get it right until they actually design a space station - or ship to mars - with a rotating ring for gravity.

Partnering with SpaceX=Possible. Otherwise best of luck guys.

With a better, more efficient booster engine we could put 1,000 tons in low earth orbit. Given that each launch at Space x with the 9 meter booster could put larger objects into orbit, each one dwarfing what came before and only cost between 20 and 30 million per launch. 3 launches could put up double or even triple the volume of the ISS and for a tiny fraction of the cost, less than 90 million.

Where would we be without our dreams?

Here's my prediction for hotels in space. I think it will take 50 years. 10 years for Quantum Computing and Quantum AI to advance well enough to make space travel more efficient. Another 10 years for us to trust the technology and then 30 years for the government to lift restrictions for commercial space flights. I think the price of space travel will be much cheaper since Quantum Computing will improve EV batteries and nuclear power plants lowering oil and fuel prices needed to get to space

Dude, Space IS hard. If humans had the characteristics of driver ants 'we' would have been to Mars and then some. Space rock = Colony. In reality we're just disorganized collections of grabassian
......... You get the point. Love the video and yea i agree this is going to be the way forward in LEO. Just have to deal with the "disorganized collections" part.

8:27 if hydroponics can be grown in space, I wonder Ruderalis, Afeghanica, Indica, and Sativa....

"No governents, no nations, just capitalism. what could possibly go wrong"
The DR who episode "Oxygen" is your answer.

They should fit dream chaser on starship

Look at the companies involved - Blue Origin and Boeing. BO produces cgi presentation but little else. Boeing produces very late, very expensive and largely obsolete solutions. SpaceX is pushing ahead with developing orbital tankers which would be 9m diameter and could be used as a much bigger core sections.

I think we should at least take 1 module from the ISS and return to Earth using the shuttle as a poetic farewell to the ISS and an actual part of station survive in earth for future generations also potential fix to microgravity is that they put a centrifugal grav generator at the center connection of the crew modules where they sleep or workout or use the toilet this is for future stations though as the speed required to make Earth's gravity with such a small arm would be too fast for people to enter the rooms to prevent the ship from spinning out of control they can add another at the other end of the ship going counterclockwise

The intro hits different!

Someone mentioned the internet.
That is precisely the way things will
Develop. Robots, technology, advances in medicine, all of it.
There will be a confluence of ideas and tech which will probably answer presently unknown questions. Once money is to be made in space, itll just become business as usual.

Dreamchaser looks suspiciously like Soviet's Spiral.
China: "Let's build space station to do science"
US: "Mr. Beast 10 ordinary people in space"

Long-term visitors should workout everyday to minimize muscle atrophy, like the astronauts and cosmonauts currently do aboard the ISS.

Tax payers pay so Jeff can rule space😢

So where is the transporter room in the Orbital Reef ?

I think these companies will keep proposing poorly designed space stations until some future genius figures out what I already know.

Why wouldn't they just use a Space X booster for reusability, I thought we were past these 70's designs lol.