Orbital Reef: Commercial space station by BlueOrigin, Sierra Space, Boeing

Re:Orbital Reef: Commercial space station by BlueOrigin, Sie... by malfist on Monday October 25, 2021 @02:40PM (#28991491)

Mostly things that are to stay in space, or can't be launched assembled.

The ISS was built after lots of launches of components, they can also build small satellites or other things that stay in space.

That's the current use. But in the far future, space ships or habitats probably. Things that can't hold together under the weight of gravity or areodynamic drag. Like tyco station in the expanse.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Orbital Reef: Commercial space station by BlueOrigin, Sie... by hugs on Monday October 25, 2021 @02:51PM (#28991618)

Thanks. I was imagining something that would be made in space, then shipped back to earth... and thinking there is nothing that would be worth the shipping costs, except something small and (perceived to be) high-value, like synthetic diamonds. I could see someone spending $$$$ on an engagement ring made in space just so they can say it was made in space.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Orbital Reef: Commercial space station by BlueOrigin, Sie... by PeterisP on Monday October 25, 2021 @05:23PM (#28993308)

That seems to be the case now; perhaps if large scale operations of reusable vehicles make shipping costs decrease significantly then the economics of that would change.

[ Parent | on HN ]