The Next Space Station

The International Space Station has been operating for almost two decades, but a successor for the ISS hasn't been chosen yet. Today we will look at some of the options for our future gateway to the stars.

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Credits:
The Next Space Station
Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur
Episode 303, August 12, 2021
Written, Produced & Narrated by Isaac Arthur

Editors:
A.T. Long
Jason Burbank

Cover Art:

Graphics:
Udo Schroeter

[isaacarthurSFIA]

There's a typo on the operation period for Mir, it was 1986 to 2001, episode has it as 1968 to 2001.

[Lukegear]

Ah yes! Nothing like an episode on improving our space infrastructure!

[UrdnotChuckles]

I figure if nothing else we're definitely going to need an orbital construction platform, factory, and refuelling station. Maybe it will have some small labs or habitat sections on it, maybe those could be their own stations. But some kind of factory station to build bigger module parts, ships, and station components makes a lot of sense to me. Gotta have somewhere to start building out all the other stations we're going to want and need, right?

[SpecialEDy]

Happy Arthursday! Sometimes I forget what day of the week it is, until Isaac uploads...

[TroyHardingLit]

It's been amazing watching the gradual shift in optimism in Isaac's commentary over the last few years. It wasn't long ago that talking about anything ambitious to do with space made you a crank. That forced a lot serious people to keep their peace. We're not their yet, but some parts of sci-fi, at least, are slowly, bit by bit, edging towards being just plain old awesome sci.

[LandryRobbins]

I looked up word for word “the next space station” yesterday so perfect timing

[shawndavis]

Isaac Arthur's usual topics: "How to survive at the end of time trillions of years from now by building civilizations around black holes." This topic: "What are our options for replacing ISS fifteen years from now?" Honestly, it's a very refreshing topic. It's more in line with Astronomy Cast than SFIA. And I really welcome the change.

[richmigala]

Funny story about the ISS. A new astronaut moves into the station. He's going to be there a while so he decides to get himself a drink and a snack. He makes himself some coffee but can't find any milk to put into it. He says to his comrade whose been there a while, "I made this coffee but I can't find any milk". To which his comrade replies, "In space, no one can. Here, use cream"

[PolluxPavonis]

Definetly an Isaac Arthur upload is a highlight of the day :)

[montikore]

I randomly stumbled into SFIA about 3 years ago. I had my mind blown and I've been a fan ever since. I love how Isaac is able to discuss big and/or wild topics in a way that nearly anybody could follow. Plus, his voice is hella relaxing.

[low_elo_chess]

This inspired me to design my own. I'll make one. don't worry. mark my words

[denniss]

Another great episode, I love discussing the near future, a future I might live to see

[ChrisMarshallUS]

Great video, I noticed you didn't mention Axiom who are building modules for ISS and plan to use these eventually for their own station.

[mrnnhnz]

Hi Isaac. Two episode ideas. First the slightly random one, 'Getting Salt and Pepper to your rotating habitat.' One of the key drawcards to living on a rotating habitat is a good reliable source of food. And not just any food, it has to be yummy! Hydroponic and aeroponic farms for veges and maybe printed steak and chicken is fine (though I'm curious where the feedstock for those printers comes from, ) but I want salt and pepper with my meal! Salt is a mineral, and has to be carted up there and then recycled. I guess? There aren't salt deposits on the moon (or, for a habitat in orbit around say Mars, on Phobos or Deimos)? Are there? Or do we take up a big tanker of sodium and a big tanker of chloride, and make the salt on site? Or...? And many spices, like pepper for example, on grow only in specific parts of Earth. Would duplicating those growing conditions even be possible on a rotating habitat? What's involved in setting that up so it can be self-sustaining without needing continuous imports?
My second idea is, 'Living on heavy gravity worlds.' It occurs to me that if you wanted to get a really big planet so you could have a really big population (and yes, I'm aware of other techniques for making this possible, which you've discussed on your excellent show, but hear me out...) then the bigger the planet, the bigger the gravity. That might be uncomfortable. But perhaps there are ways around that? We could engineer ourselves to have four legs instead of two, and/or much bigger muscles and skeletons. But how about an analogue of that idea you mentioned in a couple of your episodes? You could have people living on the OUTside of a spinning cone (instead of the INside of a spinning cone-shaped well, ) where centrifugal force lightens the perceived gravity. Right? I haven't fully worked it through in my head, but after the idea popped in there, I thought I had to say something :-)

[MrGuyCali]

Incredible to see how far you've come during covid. I've been following your channel for years and I'm so happy for you dude.

[cerealata]

Have always loved the Von Braun Wheel design since I first saw it in locally published science book, must be the 1950s aesthetic. Wonder why nobody has thought of building one with today's technology.

Edit: okay, that design at 5:00 is just insane.

[judedornisch]

The next stations will resemble Gateway with extended docking ability. Starship or other like will serve as special purpose modules. But we need to begin to think of these as merely aggregation points. The cities or campuses will grow around them The initial export hubs will transition into import hubs as the raw material flows reverse. Shuttle buses and delivery trucks will come into play and manufacturing hubs will be positioned for power and transit costs. We forget that Starship is the equivalent of the Model T. The real first mass produced easily modified vehicle.

[nolan]

Personally, I wonder if having a station specializing in satellite recycling and manufacture would be feasible. Instead of de-orbiting end of life satellites, I think rerouting them to be captured and repurposed or having their materials salvaged and reformed could be a real niche that would provide a very valuable service.
The first steps towards space manufacturing really is something that needs to be experimented with and I would love to see some of the next stations to be purposed towards this.

[Bacony_Cakes]

petition to call one of the science labs in the next international station "researchy mcresearcherface"

[khaccanhle]

Everyone wants to be on a zero gravity space station until they have to take a dump in zero gravity.