Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin has unveiled plans for a new space station named Orbital Reef, aimed at addressing the impending decommissioning of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2031. This initiative follows the ISS's pivotal role in microgravity research over the past three decades.
The Orbital Reef project has already secured $130 million from NASA for its development. The new station is projected to be nearly as large as the ISS, with a volume of 8,200 cubic feet, and aims to continue the pioneering research conducted on the ISS while introducing additional features.
Initially designed to accommodate 10 individuals, plans are in place to expand the station's capacity through the addition of more modules. The Orbital Reef will function as both a research facility and a center for commercial space activities, including space tourism.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving Blue Origin, Sierra Space, Amazon, Boeing, and other partners. It will include science modules dedicated to microgravity research, development, and manufacturing.
Amazon is set to oversee logistics and supply chain operations, while Sierra Space will contribute Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) modules, node modules, and a runway-landing Dream Chaser spaceplane for crew and cargo transport. Boeing will provide the Starliner crew spacecraft for personnel transport and will also manage operations and maintenance of the space station.
Orbital Reef is scheduled to launch in 2027, with an estimated total cost exceeding $100 billion. The station is expected to be fully operational by 2030, coinciding with the retirement of the ISS, thereby ensuring a smooth transition for space research and commercial endeavors.