By 
October 26th, 2022
Credit: ThinkOrbital
As the dawning of private space stations looms large on the horizon, new visions about designs of orbiting facilities are growing.
One innovative look at creating habitable space comes from ThinkOrbital, based in Lafayette, Colorado. The spherical Orb2 provides a large volume, protected from orbital debris and thermal effects – habitation for astronaut missions and tourism.
Credit: ThinkOrbital
Turn up the volume
According to the firm’s website, they are exploring the possibility of delivering a platform with 4,000 cubic meters of internal volume in a single-launch configuration.
“That is four times the volume of the International Space Station in a single launch, thanks to developments in super heavy launch and autonomous on-orbit assembly capabilities,” explains Jim MacConnell, Chief Technology Officer at ThinkOrbital.
Credit: ThinkOrbital
Swiss knife assembly
“Our ThinkPlatforms are based on mature technologies available today, configured for single-launch, autonomous assembly in-orbit, re-imagining opportunities for satellite servicing, space debris processing, in-space manufacturing, on-orbit storage, refueling, space tourism and research,” the group’s website explains.
For in-space construction, walking robotic arms would be utilized. A combination of the robotic arm and an electron beam welding gun creates a Swiss knife of universal space assembly.
ThinkOrbital explains that electron beam welding has been successfully tested in space. “It is arguably the best welding method, with highest strength of welds and the smallest heat affected zone. It can weld 30 centimeters of steel in a single pass, with energy efficiency over 90%.”
Credit: ThinkOrbital
Scalable space structure
ThinkOrbital is focused on large, scalable and cost-efficient space structure for the “New Space economy.”
Offering the pressurizable 300 cubic meter ThinkPlatform-1 (a volume that is made by a cube that is one meter on each side), it can be attached to an existing space station. Possible use: Storage, fuel depot, entertainment.
To review the plans of ThinkOrbital, go to:
Posted in Space News
