4 ms·

using centrifugal force would require a complete redesign and billions of dollars. Whereas the ISS space station is for a few people for a few months and mostly

using centrifugal force would require a complete redesign and billions of dollars. Whereas the ISS space station is for a few people for a few months and mostly for research. sophisticated space stations would have to wait untill a turning point in profitability is reached. Space elevators are still in the realm of science fiction and are on the edge of theoretical feasability

samwillis 5y ago
Agree this is a sound solution for now however the the ISS is currently only approved for service until 2024 (this will clearly be extended) and plans need to be made for its replacement. With the (moderately) high probability that the SpaceX Star Ship will succeed and go into active service in the next few years the cost to orbit is going to drop significantly. There is an opitunity soon to rethink what a space station is. Realistically the internal area of a Star Ship could make a space station in the same vain as ISS, and would be “cheap”. But we could also feasibly construct a rotating station with the use of Star Ship. Space is about to undergo a transformative change in how people approach building in it.
- Out_of_Characte 5y ago
  So far, most space endeavours are related to science in some way. which is problematic because there is little to no return on investment. also, everything we have and consume is on earth. I can't think of many products which are low in mass but extremely high in value and could benefit from the only properties of space we control right now; weightlessness and orbits. To me, cheaper rockets could only help building a future space elevator which would reduce costs significantly but we would still need something to do in space. So what do you think the first economic incentive will be to enrich society?
- starlust2 5y ago
  Sierra, Axiom, and Blue Origin are all working on commercial successors to the ISS. Axiom's first modules will launch 2024ish and initially be connected to the ISS.

samwillis 5y ago

Agree this is a sound solution for now however the the ISS is currently only approved for service until 2024 (this will clearly be extended) and plans need to be made for its replacement. With the (moderately) high probability that the SpaceX Star Ship will succeed and go into active service in the next few years the cost to orbit is going to drop significantly. There is an opitunity soon to rethink what a space station is. Realistically the internal area of a Star Ship could make a space station in the same vain as ISS, and would be “cheap”. But we could also feasibly construct a rotating station with the use of Star Ship. Space is about to undergo a transformative change in how people approach building in it.

Out_of_Characte 5y ago
So far, most space endeavours are related to science in some way. which is problematic because there is little to no return on investment. also, everything we have and consume is on earth. I can't think of many products which are low in mass but extremely high in value and could benefit from the only properties of space we control right now; weightlessness and orbits. To me, cheaper rockets could only help building a future space elevator which would reduce costs significantly but we would still need something to do in space. So what do you think the first economic incentive will be to enrich society?
starlust2 5y ago
Sierra, Axiom, and Blue Origin are all working on commercial successors to the ISS. Axiom's first modules will launch 2024ish and initially be connected to the ISS.