Space arks: Making space feel like home

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• July 9, 2024

Insight summary

Space arks are pioneering the future of human habitation and work in space, transforming how we envision life beyond Earth. Through collaborations and technological advancements, companies are developing habitats that could significantly exceed current space stations' safety and volume capabilities, aiming to make living in low Earth orbit (LEO) and beyond a reality. Leveraging microgravity opens up new possibilities for industries from pharmaceuticals to biotech, prompting essential discussions on the sustainability, legal, and ethical aspects of long-term space living.

Space arks context

Space arks represent humanity's aspirations to extend its presence beyond Earth. Sierra Space, a commercial space company, announced in January 2024 its advancements in expandable space station technology, showcasing a full-scale structural test that surpassed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s safety and certification guidelines. This technology, pivotal for creating commercial microgravity research and production facilities in space, aims to benefit life on Earth by providing unprecedented in-space infrastructure volume. The company’s collaborative efforts with another space technology company, Blue Origin, on the Orbital Reef project, alongside its own Orbital Pathfinder, illustrates the potential for such habitats to expand human activity in low Earth orbit (LEO) and beyond.

This technology uses expandable "softgoods," or woven fabrics, to perform like inflated rigid structures. This approach was validated in a comprehensive stress test where a full-size inflatable space station structure not only stood over 20 feet tall but also exceeded NASA's recommended safety levels by 27%. The test, a collaboration with technology company ILC Dover, underscores the feasibility and safety of these habitats for future space missions. Sierra Space plans to undergo intensive testing for this technology in 2024.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk's SpaceX is pursuing its vision of making life multi-planetary, with Musk comparing his initiative to build over 1,000 Starships to modern Noah's Arks. Musk's ambition is to establish a human presence on Mars. While still awaiting regulatory green lights, this initiative showcases a broad, industry-wide push towards developing sustainable off-Earth habitats. In March 2024, SpaceX made history by successfully launching (and returning to Earth) the world's largest rocket, a significant step in making massive habitable structures in space.

Disruptive impact

People may have the chance to work or even live in space, leading to a radical shift in career paths and lifestyles. This shift could result in a new era of space-based education and training programs, preparing individuals for life and work in off-Earth environments. However, it also raises concerns about the psychological and physiological effects of long-term space habitation, such as isolation and the impacts of microgravity on the human body, which need to be addressed to ensure the well-being of space inhabitants.

Companies in the aerospace, manufacturing, and biotech sectors may find new avenues for expansion, leveraging the unique conditions of space to innovate in ways not possible on Earth. For instance, microgravity allows for producing purer pharmaceutical compounds and more perfect crystal structures, offering potential breakthroughs in medicine and technology. Yet, the high costs of space operations and the complexity of establishing a supply chain that extends beyond Earth's atmosphere present significant logistical and financial challenges that businesses will need to navigate.

Governments may need to develop regulations that ensure the safety and sustainability of space habitats, addressing everything from environmental impacts to the legal rights of individuals living off-planet. Space arks may also require new treaties or the modification of existing ones to manage the shared use of outer space, potentially leading to increased cooperation or, conversely, competition among countries. The strategic importance of space will also heighten, prompting governments to consider the implications for national security and the global balance of power.

Implications of space arks

Wider implications of space arks may include: 

• Space arks catalyzing advancements in materials science, leading to more durable and lightweight construction materials for terrestrial applications.
• New job opportunities emerging in aerospace, engineering, and space tourism, contributing to economic diversification and growth.
• Enhanced focus on sustainable life support systems in space, driving innovations in renewable energy and waste management on Earth.
• Shifts in educational priorities towards science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, preparing future generations for careers in expanding space industries.
• Governments investing in spaceport infrastructure, influencing regional development and technological hubs around these sites.
• New space law and governance frameworks, addressing issues of space traffic management and extraterrestrial resource rights.
• A rise in public and private investment in space technologies, leading to more accessible space travel and research opportunities.
• Changes in consumer behavior and expectations, with products and services developed in microgravity environments entering the market.
• Heightened awareness and action on planetary protection, due to the potential for interplanetary contamination concerns highlighted by space ark missions.

Questions to consider

• How could advancements in space habitat technologies influence how we design homes and buildings on Earth?
• How might the development of space arks offer solutions to Earth's sustainability challenges?