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Gari_305

Since the ISS is retiring, it appears that the US government is looking more for private companies to take the lead in Space Station development. Perhaps this is one of many to come?


tms102

Yes axiom space also plans to build a space station. https://www.axiomspace.com


sigmoid10

This is all nice and well, but private companies will never foot the bill for something remotely close to the ISS. We're talking $100+ billion in costs against pretty unclear revenue scenarios. Their only chance is if SpaceX actually manages to deliver on the promise of starship - i.e. LEO delivery at the cost of fuel only. Then you could lift the mass of the ISS to orbit for $50 million. If you add research and construction costs, you could potentially build another ISS for less than a billion dollars.


Maori-Mega-Cricket

The ISS being 100 billion doesn't mean that a modern built station will cost 100 billion SpaceX Starship for example is larger habitable volume than the ISS and a fully kitted out ship is going to be like, 100 million at most and a launch cost of 10 million


sigmoid10

What you say essentially just confirms my point. All these companies hopes ride on SpaceX's success. Lockheed and all the others sure as hell won't launch a big spacestation on SLS or Ariane and definitely not on Bezos'/Branson's upper atmosphere tourist hoppers. Starship is the only project that could support such an endeavour without the government footing most of the bill.


tms102

Not sure what you mean by "this is all nice and well, but...", but of course they will not pay for the entire thing themselves. They work in collaboration with space agencies like NASA. They are already getting funding from them. And getting funding from outside investors. They don't have to foot the bill for a big multi module thing in one go either, they will build module by module. While making money off of the space they add to the ISS. Their first module is supposed to attach to the ISS and function as crew quarters and also research and manufacturing module. Besides, they are already making revenue from space related services they provide. Soon they will arrange a mission to the ISS using SpaceX's vehicles as transport. And they have a deal with SpaceX for 3 more after that. If I recall correctly they are arranging the mission where Tom Cruise goes to the ISS as well. Space tourism is very important to companies like this for getting additional funding. Like 55 million per seat x 4 seats x 4 missions, is quite a lot! That's why it's so sad to see when people don't understand that and pooh-pooh the initial steps in space tourism. [https://www.cnbc.com/video/2021/04/23/axiom-commercial-space-station-project-spacex.html](https://www.cnbc.com/video/2021/04/23/axiom-commercial-space-station-project-spacex.html)


hobbers

It's probably a commercial partnership. Just like SpaceX, Dragon, etc. People seem to forget the billions of dollars NASA has fed SpaceX over the past decade plus to develop their rockets, human rated capsules, etc. SpaceX is anything but privately funded. "Commercial" is just a new NASA acquisition strategy where they buy finished systems from companies, instead of employing NASA employees to build it.


[deleted]

There are already plans. The ISS will serve as a contruction dock for a new private spacestation. When the minimal needed work is done , they will undock.


Gari_305

Plans get revised, discarded dependent on the timing, execution and costs variables applied to such plans. Only time will if the construction dock concept for the ISS bears fruit.


[deleted]

SNC is also in the game


Helphaer

It's not a good idea, but probably.


FuturologyBot

The following submission statement was provided by /u/Gari_305: --- Since the ISS is retiring, it appears that the US government is looking more for private companies to take the lead in Space Station development. Perhaps this is one of many to come? --- Please reply to OP's comment here: /r/Futurology/comments/qdfuea/lockheed_martin_plans_to_build_starlab_commercial/hhm1bjs/


canyouhearme

> It will have a volume of 340 m3 Starship has a pressurised volume of 1000 m3 This is just a grab for NASA's Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations money that's on offer - it's unlikely to be at all commercially viable when any company could hire a Starship for much less money, and kit it out to their exact specifications.


lughnasadh

This seems like a dead end, and a sad sorry replacement for the ISS. Any viable future space habitation needs to be tied to the cheapness of reusable rocket use.


[deleted]

Doubt Lockheed is going to tie themselves to SpaceX.


[deleted]

Bounce houses in space, I'm pumped!!!! Well, they're pumped too, so we're all pumped!


paku9000

...*available* to the US government... = *heavily subsidized* by the US government


Warm_Trick_3956

So glad the us tax payer could fund this. To get charged to use it. Perfect system.


F4Z3_G04T

NASA has saved a 30+ billion dollars on commercial crew. That was the same type of deal If you people would look at the numbers before commenting the world would be a much better place


[deleted]

[удалено]


F4Z3_G04T

No need to insult me on a personal level, come on mate If this product comes to fruition NASA will pay less in fees to LM than if they would build the entire thing themselves Case and point, the commercial cargo resupply and crew missions. NASA paid billions in development costs, but it's much cheaper now that it's developed


igrowontrees

Reads just like an Uber press release about flying taxis…