This post is mainly about a design concept for far-future large space habitats.

some proposed designs

As you can see on Wikipedia, many space habitat designs have been proposed. Below are some that I thought were worth mentioning.

current space stations

Obviously, space stations with long-term occupants have already been made, the biggest being the ISS.

issue: small modules

Each launch lifts a complete cylindrical module, and then the modules are assembled. This limits module diameter, which has some problems:

• To be able to move things through the center of modules, much of the volume must be left empty.
• The large surface area relative to volume makes radiation shielding and thermal insulation less efficient.
• Wires and pipes between modules must go through several connections.

ISS maintenance

The ISS has some purposes:

1. National prestige.
2. Studying the effects of long-term spaceflight on humans.
3. Inspiring kids by having humans in [...]

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Outline:

(00:10) some proposed designs

(00:22) current space stations

(02:17) inflatable modules

(03:27) geodesic spheres

(05:27) rotating wheels

(07:15) big rings

(08:58) long cylinders

(10:35) big rotating spheres

(11:59) bhabitats

(12:35) diagram

(12:52) expansion steps

(15:53) component design

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First published:

Source:

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