Jeff Bezos' Ambitious Project Is Back, Now Planning To Build A Space Station

JAKARTA - After his space travel mission was successful, now billionaire Jeff Bezos has announced his ambitious project to build a space station dubbed Orbital Reef.

Announced by his aerospace company, Blue Origin yesterday, Orbital Reef is planned to function like the International Space Station (ISS), which can accommodate 10 people at once.

Not only that, but Orbital Reef will also accommodate astronauts from around the world and be used to conduct science experiments under conditions of microgravity. In fact, Bezos intends to use it as a manufacturing facility in space and provide accommodation for space travelers as part of its exotic hospitality service.

"(We provide) end-to-end services such as transportation and logistics, rental space for any purpose, assistance with system hardware development, robot, and crew-controlled operations and services, and residential facilities", said Blue Origin.

Quoted from Digital Trends, Tuesday, October 26, in the construction of this space station, Blue Origin partnered with Colorado-based Sierra Space and aerospace giant Boeing. The merger is to help create what is described as a space-based "multipurpose business park".

"Blue Origin plans to be an exciting project because it doesn't duplicate an existing space station, but goes a step further to fulfill its unique position in Earth Orbit where it can serve multiple companies and accommodate non-specialist crews", said Boeing Vice President John Mulholland.

With the ISS now 20 years old and likely to be decommissioned within the next 10 years, Blue Origin's facility will arrive just in time to replace the aging satellite.

However, neither Blue Origin nor Sierra Space has detailed the estimated cost. But of course, this costs billions of dollars. Some of the funding could likely come from NASA, which is looking at proposals from several companies for the replacement of the ISS.

But Blue Origin appears intent on continuing with its plans with or without help from NASA, "Orbital Reef expands access, lowers costs, and provides everything you need to help you operate your business in space", explains Blue Origin.

"A thriving commercial ecosystem in Earth orbit will unlock the potential for discoveries, unimaginable products, and new forms of entertainment, and promote a new level of interconnected global awareness".

Apart from cost, another challenge where Blue Origin has also never done an orbital flight. It was only recently that the New Shepard rocket reached the Kármán line 62 miles above Earth before returning to Earth a few minutes later.

However, the company is preparing for the maiden test flight of the New Glenn, its first orbital rocket, for some time next year. The New Glenn is a heavy-lift rocket and can be used to carry parts of the Orbital Reef into orbit.