Airbus to help with International Space Station replacement
- Reference: 1691044572
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/08/03/airbus_voyager_space_iss_jv/
- Source link:
The European aerospace outfit is already a supplier to European Space Agency's ISS operations and built the [1]Bartolomeo payload platform that eases the process of operating kit on the space station.
The aerospace outfit [2]announced on Tuesday it's been asked to contribute "technical design support and expertise" to build an entire space station, in a joint venture with US outfit Voyager Space.
[3]
Voyager Space's subsidiary, Nanoracks, also operates kit on the ISS and even built one of its airlocks. Nanoracks has also won $160 million of US government funding to [4]work on an ISS successor called Starlab.
[5]
[6]
"We are establishing this joint venture to reliably meet the known demand from global space agencies while opening new opportunities for commercial users," said Matthew Kuta, president at Voyager Space.
Note the mention of "global" space agencies – it's a nod to the fact that the JV means both NASA and the European Space Agency will have a local entity to talk with. And as the ESA already does business in space with Airbus, this looks like a way to ensure that Starlab can fly without encountering policy-driven turbulence caused by a need to work with local suppliers.
[7]
No wonder a canned quote from Airbus head of Space Systems Marc Nasr states "This transatlantic venture with footprints on both sides of the ocean aligns the interests of both ourselves and Voyager and our respective space agencies."
[8]Airbus flies new passenger airplane aimed at 'long, thin' routes
[9]European companies form space jam to secure comms sovereignty with satellites
[10]Airbus pulls up hard, no longer buying 29.9% stake in Atos-owned Evidian
[11]This ain't Boeing very well: Starliner's first crewed flight cancelled yet again
Starlab is billed as the "first science park in space" and capable of hosting four astronauts within its 340m 3 interior. Another contributor to the project is Hilton – yes, the hotel chain – which is onboard to design pretty and welcoming interiors. Maybe some of those little soaps.
This vessel's design recently completed a Systems Requirements Review – an assessment of whether it meets NASA's mission and safety requirements.
Nanoracks expects to have a Starlab ready for human occupants in 2028 and expects it will attract commercial customers who need a presence in space for either experimental or other activities.
Just what Airbus's "technical design support and expertise" translates to in terms of a presence on Starlab hasn't been disclosed. Perhaps it's some space nous, plus lovely big overhead bins. ®
Get our [12]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/stories/2023-07-bartolomeo-the-easy-way-of-bringing-payloads-to-the-iss
[2] https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-08-voyager-space-and-airbus-announce-joint-venture-to-build-and
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZMt6xeA9UKt1AOsBa9AEUQAAAJE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2021/12/03/nasa_space_station/
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZMt6xeA9UKt1AOsBa9AEUQAAAJE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZMt6xeA9UKt1AOsBa9AEUQAAAJE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZMt6xeA9UKt1AOsBa9AEUQAAAJE&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2022/06/17/airbus_a321xlr_first_flight/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/05/eu_satellite_comms_consortium/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/30/airbus_abandons_atos_stake_buy/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2023/06/02/boeing_starliner_crewed_flight_delay/
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: 2001
How hard would it be to send the London Eye up into space?
Re: London eye in space
A [1]BA 2100 module is about as big as a Starship could launch. 21 modules in a ring gives a 120m diameter like the London eye. The BA series modules were intended to be zero gravity work shops, so the design would have to be revisited if you want to spin the ring. You will also need solar panels and radiators to get rid of the heat. If you cannot wait for Starship then you could try 23x [2]B330 launched by Falcon 9.
The scale is not technically unfeasible but it would be financial a disaster with only Dragon+Starliner+Soyuz+Shenzou to populate it with tourists. Ask again when Starship is taking a hundred people to orbit and back with a ticket price order of magnitude $100K.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BA_2100
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B330
Re: London eye in space
" ticket price order of magnitude $100K."
For that kind of money I think you will be utterly overwhelmed and with a waiting list of years or decades.
I see the issue as being all the training and medical requirements beforehand.
I suspect $100k is no different in realistic terms than the costs of early intercontinental air flights.
Hilton in Spaaaaace
Didn't I see a Hilton on the space station on 2001 Space Odessey...tho these days it will probably be Doubletree By Hilton
2001
I'm hoping it will be a big, rotating, circular space station with a Hilton hotel in it (and video phone booths).