Space competition has gone a way beyond our innate imaginations.
The first selfie and first controlled flight on Mars, Space travel of Mr. Branson defeating the Earth’s gravity, the artificial Starlink Constellation sent by SpaceX and now, A Business Park in Space by Jeff Bezos?
On October 25, 2021 Bezos’ Blue Origin and Sierra Space announced their collaborative plans for a new kind of Space Fleet called ‘Orbital Reef’ which will be developed, owned, and operated in low Earth orbit commercially.
“For over sixty years, NASA and other space agencies have developed orbital space flight and space habitation, setting us up for commercial business to take off in this decade,” explains Advanced Development Programs Head for Blue Origins.
It will provide a vibrant business ecosystem for future of Humans in space and hence is backed by Space technology leaders in US like Boeing, Genesis Engineering Solutions, Redwire Space, and Arizona State University.
“We will expand access, lower the cost, and provide all the services and amenities needed to normalize space flight. A vibrant business ecosystem will grow in low Earth orbit, generating new discoveries, new products, new entertainments, and global awareness.”
Key Elements of the Orbital Reef and its facilitators:
Blue Origin – Utility systems, large-diameter core modules, and reusable heavy-lift New Glenn launch system.
Sierra Space – Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) module, node module, and runway landing Dream Chaser spaceplane for crew and cargo transportation, capable of landing on runways worldwide.
Boeing – Science module, station operations, maintenance engineering, and Starliner crew spacecraft.
Redwire Space – Microgravity research, development, and manufacturing; payload operations and deployable structures.
Genesis Engineering Solutions – Single Person Spacecraft for routine operations and tourist excursions.
Arizona State University – Lead
To begin its operations in the proposed second half of this decade, the project will strive to offer its customers a greater research, industrial, international, and commercial experience in several spheres.
This will be cost efficient yet competitive end-to-end service platform including the space transportation, logistics, space travel and stay, equipment accommodation etc.
“The microgravity environment presents an entirely new arena for commercial and scientific development, making Orbital Reef the platform that will launch new technologies and capabilities dramatically improving life on Earth while enabling humanity’s journey to the stars.”
Orbital Reef tends to provide an essential infrastructure to upscale economic activity and open new markets, that too in space.
It shall serve as a small village for all sorts of people to find their functions in Space, for example, media and travel companies, specifically funded Entrepreneurs and future-minded investors.
This will be sent to space by a reusable launch vehicle and will host an advanced automation technology that will help minimize the cost and complexity for both traditional and new space operators.
In short, it will help naïve countries to make their own launches and find their own respective places in Space.
Orbital Reef: As an alternative to International Space Station?
“The Orbital Reef will carry forward the singular legacy of the ISS, supporting innovative microgravity research, development, and manufacturing activities which will advance fields as diverse as communications and biotechnology,” explains the Redwire Executive.
The legacy of International Space Station (ISS) is slowly evading as it is getting closer to its denudation. Although NASA has calculated ISS to be dying sometime beyond its 20years i.e., until 2030 but many experts are afraid of its deaths before its undertaken replacement.
NASA’s Psyche mission supporting the Blue Origin’s project mentions: “We’ve brought together an international group of more than a dozen universities to work on the ethics and guidelines of research — on how we can bring to bear all our expertise in science and research and manufacturing in low gravity, to help nations, corporations and groups that want access to Orbital Reef.”
Cost and fund analysis of Bezos’ dream project:
Although the goals and functions of the project is set, the cost perspective of the project still remains unclear exactly. This will be aided by Bezos’ previous commitment to spend at least $1 billion of his own money yearly on Blue Origin projects.
Funding will supposedly increase with the flow from wealthy countries (like the United Arab Emirates), eager enough to expand their footprint in orbit.
The space station will begin encircling the Earth at an altitude of roughly 500 kilometers (310 miles), with accommodation up to ten occupants. “Think of it as a village. Think of it as many different organizations and people in their own parts of Orbital Reef doing their own activities”.
“It’s about collectively believing in our future and bringing science and engineering to bear on a better future – hugely exciting.”