Space Stations and the Significance of VAST's Vision for the Future

Preface

In 2020, I was directly involved in the acquisition and restructuring of a space component company that had supplied intricate parts and subsystems to many key organizations, including NASA, Boeing, and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), among others engaged in space exploration and scientific discovery. This company played a pivotal role in iconic missions, providing components for Skylab, Voyager, the International Space Station (ISS), and the Space Shuttle. The experience deepened my fascination with space exploration, a passion that began in my teenage years when I first read?‘Cosmos’?by Carl Sagan.

Equally inspiring to me has been the legacy of Arthur C. Clarke, whose contribution to the world extended far beyond his creative writing. While many recognize him for his visionary science fiction, I believe his true gift was his groundbreaking work in the design of communication satellites. His vision of space travel and space stations, particularly as depicted in the 1968 masterpiece?‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, continues to influence the work of many private space companies today, including VAST and its ambitious founder.

In this short editorial, I highlight why the private space industry is critical to the future of humanity and how it will shape our understanding of the great unknown.

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Space stations are arguably one of humanity’s greatest collective achievements. These orbiting laboratories and habitats have made monumental contributions to science, engineering, and human space exploration. From the first rudimentary platforms in the 1970s, to today’s complex, multi-module facilities like the ISS, space stations serve as testbeds for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

As we look back on the history of space stations, it becomes clear that each step forward paved the way for more ambitious goals. The effects of zero gravity over prolonged periods has been proved to have negative effects on space station inhabitants. The introduction of artificial gravity by companies like VAST marks a radical shift in how we can now think about living and working in space. To understand the true importance and future impact of VAST and its mission, an understanding the legacy of space stations, what has been achieved, what challenges persist, and why the VAST initiative is such a critical step for the future of space exploration.

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The Early Days of Salyut and Skylab

The concept of space stations was born from the desire to extend human presence beyond Earth’s atmosphere for long durations. The Soviet Union took the first major step with?Salyut 1, launched 53 years ago on April 19, 1971. Salyut 1 marked the world's first space station, a small but critical leap in human space exploration. It was designed to house a crew for extended periods and to study the effects of long-term space habitation, however its mission was marred by tragedy. The Soyuz 10 mission, which attempted to dock with Salyut 1, failed. The Soyuz 11 crew successfully docked, but upon re-entry to Earth, all three cosmonauts tragically died due to cabin depressurization.

Despite this infamous setback, the Salyut program continued, with seven stations in total launched between 1971 and 1986. These stations laid the groundwork for space station technology and missions.?Salyut 6?and?Salyut 7 introduced innovations such as docking ports that allowed for multiple spacecraft to dock simultaneously, leading to the exchange of crews and resupply missions.

On May 14, 1973, Skylab?was launched by NASA. Skylab was the first U.S. space station and was constructed using hardware from the Apollo program, including a modified Saturn V rocket. Skylab's primary goals were scientific research and studying the physiological effects of extended spaceflight. The station supported three crews and remained in orbit for over six years. However, its re-entry was uncontrolled, and Skylab disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere in 1979, scattering debris over the Indian Ocean and parts of Australia.

The early days of space stations showed promise but highlighted the immense challenges posed by microgravity, limited resources, and spacecraft longevity. These experiences highlighted the need for more durable platforms, better life support systems, and sustainable infrastructure for long-term human presence in space.

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Mir and the Step Forward in Long-Term Habitation

The next major milestone in space station history came with the Soviet (and later Russian)?Mir?station, launched in 1986. Mir was a modular space station, which allowed for the gradual addition of new modules over time. This design significantly expanded its capabilities beyond the earlier Salyut stations, which were essentially single-unit platforms. Mir became the longest continuously inhabited human outpost in space, staying in orbit for 15 years and supporting multiple international crews.

Mir provided an invaluable opportunity for long-duration spaceflight studies. Cosmonauts routinely spent months aboard, with one cosmonaut, Valery Polyakov, setting a record of 437 continuous days in space aboard Mir. The station also became a symbol of international cooperation, particularly after the Cold War ended. It hosted astronauts from multiple countries, including American astronauts as part of the?Shuttle-Mir Program, which paved the way for even larger-scale collaboration on future space stations.

Despite its successes, Mir also faced significant challenges. Its aging infrastructure led to various malfunctions, including fires, power failures, and a collision with a supply spacecraft. By 2001, after years of patchwork repairs, Mir was deorbited and burned up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, with some remnants falling into the Pacific Ocean. Nevertheless, Mir demonstrated the feasibility of long-term human habitation in space and informed the design of future stations like the ISS. It also made clear that international collaboration would be key to advancing space exploration.

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The International Space Station (ISS), a Global Achievement

The?International Space Station (ISS)?is the most ambitious and successful space station to date. Its development began in 1998 as a collaborative project between five major space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada). The ISS is a modular station like Mir but on a far larger scale, with over a dozen interconnected modules that serve different functions, from laboratories to living quarters.

One of the ISS's key achievements has been international collaboration. Astronauts from dozens of countries have lived and worked on the ISS, conducting scientific experiments in a microgravity environment. The station has provided critical insights into the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body, advanced space technology, and fostered a deeper understanding of Earth’s climate and ecosystem through remote sensing and scientific research.

As of 2024, the ISS remains operational, though its future is uncertain. The station is aging, and discussions are ongoing about either extending its life or deorbiting it in the early 2030s.

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Tiangong and the Path Toward Independence

In parallel with the ISS program, China has pursued its own space station ambitions. In 2011, China launched?Tiangong-1, its first space station. Tiangong-1 was a relatively small station compared to the ISS, designed to test space station technologies, including docking and life support systems. After two successful crewed missions, the station was de-orbited in 2018, however, its re-entry was uncontrolled, leading to widespread negative media attention as pieces of the station fell into the Pacific Ocean.

China followed with?Tiangong-2, launched in 2016, which focused on more advanced scientific research and astronaut training. The station was deorbited in 2019 after a successful mission. Both Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 served as precursors to China’s current station,?Tiangong, which launched in 2021 and has gradually added more modules over the years, with a space telescope module currently set to be launched in 2026, which will be a co-orbit module, occasionally docking with the Tiangong.

The new Tiangong is a modular space station, similar in design to the ISS and Mir, represents China’s most ambitious space project to date and showcases the nation’s growing independence and capability in space exploration. Unlike the ISS, which is a collaborative project, Tiangong is wholly operated by China, though the country has expressed interest in international partnerships for future missions.

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Private Space Stations and Commercial Spaceflight – a New Era

The last decade has witnessed a tremendous shift in space exploration from government-led initiatives to the rise of private space companies. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Bigelow Aerospace are driving a new era of commercial space exploration, aiming to develop space stations for tourism, research, and industrial purposes.

Bigelow Aerospace was one of the first companies to venture into this space with its?BEAM (Bigelow Expandable Activity Module), which is currently attached to the ISS. BEAM is an inflatable habitat designed to test expandable space station technologies that could offer more cost-effective solutions for future space habitats. Though Bigelow has scaled back its operations in recent years, the BEAM module remains a proof of concept for expandable, modular space stations.

Other private companies, such as?Axiom Space, are planning to build their own space stations. Axiom aims to launch its first module in 2026, which will initially be attached to the ISS before eventually becoming a free-floating station. These companies represent the next wave of space exploration, driven by commercial interests and private investment.

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VAST – The Future of Space Habitats?

Among the private companies working on the next generation of space stations,?VAST?stands out for its ambitious vision of building the world’s first?artificial-gravity space station, founded by technologist and cryptocurrency entrepreneur?Jed McCaleb.

To understand why?VAST?such an important company in the broader history of space exploration is, we need to consider both the challenges that have been encountered with existing space stations and the opportunities that lie ahead. Up until now, most space stations have been designed with the assumption that microgravity is an unavoidable part of living in space. From?Salyut?to the?ISS, these stations have helped scientists understand the short-term and long-term effects of living in a near-zero-gravity environment. However, they have also revealed the significant toll that microgravity takes on the human body.

Microgravity poses numerous health risks to astronauts, including muscle atrophy, bone density loss, vision loss, and fluid redistribution. Despite decades of research aboard space stations, there is no complete solution to these issues, making long-term missions to the Moon, Mars, or beyond risky for human health. VAST’s solution is to create space stations that simulate Earth-like gravity through centrifugal force.

The concept of artificial gravity has long been a topic of interest in science fiction and academic circles, but no operational space station has ever implemented it. VAST’s vision is to build rotating space stations that generate artificial gravity by spinning, thus enabling long-term habitation without the detrimental effects of weightlessness. This breakthrough could unlock new possibilities for deep space exploration, from long-term missions to Mars, to the eventual colonization of other planets.

VAST is currently working on developing the technology necessary to build these stations, and in 2023, they announced a collaboration with?SpaceX?to launch their first modules. The company is still in its early stages, but its vision has the potential to revolutionize space travel by providing a solution to one of the fundamental challenges of space exploration, sustaining human life over extended periods. The implications of VAST's mission are immense , and its potential to solve how we could live and work in space is nothing short of transformative.

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Artificial Gravity, the Next Frontier

VAST’s approach to artificial gravity could mark the dawn of a new era in space exploration. By spinning their space stations to generate centrifugal force, VAST aims to recreate conditions like Earth’s gravity. This would have far-reaching benefits for human health, making long-duration missions not only feasible but more comfortable and sustainable.

Artificial gravity could allow astronauts to maintain their muscle mass, bone density, and cardiovascular health during space missions. This development would make deep space missions far more practical, as it could eliminate or reduce the need for astronauts to undergo extensive physical rehabilitation after returning to Earth.

If VAST succeeds, their space stations could serve as a new standard for future orbital platforms, expanding the possibilities for scientific research, manufacturing, and even tourism in space. For instance, long-term studies of human biology in artificial gravity environments would provide critical data for planning missions to Mars and other distant targets. VAST stations could also be used for experiments in manufacturing, where gravity is needed to produce materials or processes that can’t be effectively created in microgravity.

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Sustainability and Scalability

One of the major challenges that has historically faced space stations is their sustainability. Most stations, including Mir and Skylab, had limited lifespans due to the wear and tear of operating in the harsh environment of space. Even the ISS, despite its modular design and international backing, is nearing the end of its operational life. In addition, space stations to date have relied heavily on government funding, which can fluctuate depending on political priorities.

VAST is different in that it is part of the new wave of private-sector space ventures. Like?SpaceX?and?Blue Origin, VAST represents a shift toward the commercialization of space. While government space agencies will always play a crucial role in space exploration, private companies can bring new resources, capital, and innovative technologies to the table.

If VAST’s artificial gravity technology proves successful, it could lead to the development of a new class of space habitats that are scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable. In the future, these habitats could serve not only government missions but also private industries, researchers, and tourists. By enabling long-term habitation with artificial gravity, VAST could help open the door to a true space economy.

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Enabling Deep Space Missions

VAST’s technology could be the key to making deep space missions, such as human missions to Mars or even more distant planets a reality. Without artificial gravity, the health risks of long-duration space travel would be a major obstacle to such missions. While astronauts could potentially reach Mars within a few months, the return journey, combined with time spent on the planet, could have very serious consequences for their health. VAST’s stations would allow astronauts to maintain their health during these long-duration missions. This would make missions to Mars and beyond more feasible and could even accelerate plans for human exploration of the outer solar system.

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Space Colonization and Tourism

In the longer term, VAST’s artificial-gravity space stations could play a critical role in humanity’s efforts to establish a permanent presence in space. Whether in low Earth orbit, on the Moon, or in deep space, these stations could serve as hubs for future colonies. Imagine a future where artificial-gravity space stations serve as waypoints or transfer hubs for missions to distant planets. They could function as refuelling stations, research outposts, or even homes for space workers and tourists. These habitats could also help support space mining operations, lunar bases, or other space-based industries.

VAST’s vision also extends to commercial applications. As space tourism becomes more viable, thanks in large part to companies like?SpaceX?and?Blue Origin the demand for safe, comfortable space habitats will grow.

This could lead to the development of space hotels or even space resorts, where visitors could experience the thrill of space exploration without sacrificing comfort or safety. VAST’s space stations could cater to this growing market, helping to make space tourism a mainstream industry.

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VAST and the Future of Space Exploration

The history of space stations has been one of constant innovation. From the early days of?Salyut?and?Skylab?to the international collaboration that produced the?ISS, humanity’s fascination and quest for knowledge has steadily led to expanded operations in space. To truly understand the planets in our solar system we need to go to them. Each space station has taught the scientific fraternity many valuable lessons about living and working in space, but they have also revealed the challenges of long-term habitation in microgravity.

VAST’s mission to build the world’s first artificial-gravity space station is a bold and essential step forward. If successful, it will solve one of the greatest challenges of space exploration. As the space industry continues to evolve, companies like VAST are crucial. Their vision will help unlock new possibilities, enabling new industries, research, and tourism in space. VAST represents the next eureka moment one that could change how humanity interacts with the cosmos.

Carl Cagliarini

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