The future of space exploration

Orbital Reef, a commercially developed, owned and operated space station in a 500km low earth orbit, will facilitate the growth of a vibrant ecosystem and business model for the future.

Designed to open multiple new markets in space, Orbital Reef will provide anyone with the opportunity to establish their own address on orbit. It expands access, lowers costs and provides everything needed to allow businesses to operate in space. Offering an opportunity for businesses from all industries to find a berth, including scientific research, system development, invention, hospitality, and media and advertising.

Neeraj Gupta, General Manager of Space Destinations, Sierra Space said: "“We are singularly focused on how to make space accessible for everyone and believe the key to realizing that important mission is through building commercial space destinations and infrastructure. With Orbital Reef, we’re enabling a chorus of commercial partners to be able to unlock the secrets of space together.

"Pharmaceutical research, computer chip manufacturing, tourism – all are transformed in a microgravity environment. We are opening up these amazing capabilities to a much larger audience than has previously enjoyed access. We envisage a not-so-distant future where many people live and work in space.”

Operating as a ‘mixed-use business park’ providing easy access to everyone, Orbital Reef will provide an end-to-end experience, taking care of transportation and logistics, habitation amenities and assistance with hardware development.

Experienced, future-focused investors and space systems are developing Orbital Reef. Participants in the project include Blue Origin, Sierra Space, Boeing, Redwire Space, Genesis Engineering Solutions and Arizona State University.

The design

Orbital Reef is a human centred space station offering services and amenities, providing the essential infrastructure needed to scale economic activity and open new markets in space.

Providing space transportation with a smart design, advanced automation and logistics will minimise the cost and complexity for both traditional space operators and arrivals, allowing all users to pursue their goals.

What this means for space exploration

Orbital Reef will unlock the potential for new discoveries, unimagined products and new forms of entertainment, whilst promoting a new level of interconnected global awareness.

“For over sixty years, NASA and other space agencies have developed orbital space flight and space habitation, setting us up for commercial business to take off in this decade,” said Brent Sherwood, Senior Vice President of Advanced Development Programs for Blue Origin.

He continued: “We will expand access, lower the cost, and provide all the services and amenities needed to normalize space flight. A vibrant business ecosystem will grow in low Earth orbit, generating new discoveries, new products, new entertainments, and global awareness.”

"As a former NASA astronaut, I’ve been waiting for the moment where working and living in space is accessible to more people worldwide, and that moment has arrived,” explained Dr. Janet Kavandi, former three-time NASA astronaut and Sierra Space president.

“The Orbital Reef represents the next evolution of the commercial space paradigm by creating the first ever crewed private sector platform in low Earth orbit.

The Orbital Reef will carry forward the singular legacy of the ISS, supporting innovative microgravity research, development, and manufacturing activities which will advance fields as diverse as communications and biotechnology,” said Mike Gold, Executive Vice President for Civil Space and External Affairs at Redwire.

“The Single Person Spacecraft will transform space walking,” said Brand Griffin, Program Manager for Genesis Engineering Solutions.

Griffin added: “Space workers and tourists alike will have safe, comfortable, and quick access outside Orbital Reef. Shirtsleeve environment, great visibility, automated guidance, and advanced precision manipulators will make external operations cost-effective and routine.”