The familiar silhouette of the International Space Station (ISS) is the first thing we think of when we think of habitats in space. But the ISS is not the only one. Space habitat has evolved into a broader stage where many nations bring their orbital ambitions to life. A Chinese space station known as Tiangong is orbiting the Earth. Also, in the next decade, we will see more stations from different countries and companies, each with a different purpose.
One of the most ambitious space station projects is Hoven-1. It will be the first commercial station in space, and it is designed to launch this year. This first private space station, not affiliated with any government, will help pave the way for future, larger habitats like Haven-2. Then there are companies like Axiom Space, Orbital Reef, and Starlab that are also working on commercial habitats in low Earth orbit.
Beyond Earth’s orbit, several nations are building Gateway, the first lunar space station. As part of NASA’s Artemis program, Gateway is envisioned as a base for missions to the lunar surface, but also as a hub for deep space exploration. Countries like India and Russia are also planning to build their own orbital stations in the 2030s. Together, these plans mark a shift towards a multipolar future in space. Governments, companies, and international projects all contribute to keeping people present in Earth’s orbit with eyes on deep space.
Read more: How NASA is planning to deorbit the ISS
Tiangong, Heavenly Palace
China’s Tiangong Space Station orbiting Earth – AlejoMiranda/Getty Images
China’s Tiangong Space Station is the country’s main orbital outpost and a major milestone in its rapidly advancing space program. Built in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of about 340–450 km (200–280 mi), Tiangong is a modular station similar to the ISS. It consists of a core living hub (Tianhe) and two science modules (Wentian and Mengtian). It is designed to host continuous human presence and support scientific experiments for at least 10 to 15 years. It can hold three crew members for longer missions, and up to six during crew transfers.
Taikonauts (as the Chinese call astronauts) live and work in a carefully regulated environment within the Tiangong. Adjustable lighting simulates a 24-hour day to simulate sunrise, daylight and sunset. The station’s life support system provides Earth-like air, while a special zero-g oven provides the crew with grilled meals so they can feel at home during long space missions. The crew participates in a wide range of research such as biotechnology, materials science, space medicine, and fluid physics. Tiangong also hosts biological travelers such as rats to study microgravity effects.
Recent missions to Tiangong have highlighted operational challenges. After minor space debris damage to the crew return vehicle, the two crews had to stay at Tiangong longer than planned. China eventually launched a backup spacecraft to return the stranded crew home. Tiangong perfectly illustrated how complicated life is in class.
Haven-1 may be the first commercial space station
Rendered image of the Haven-1 spacecraft – huge
A new chapter in human spaceflight is about to begin with Haven-1, the first commercial space station, with a launch date set for no earlier than May 2026. California-based aerospace startup Vast is behind the project. It designed a single-module orbital habitat that occupies the same orbital area as the International Space Station, but on a smaller scale. The approximately 45-cubic-meter (~1,600 cubic feet) space station will be able to support up to four astronauts at a time for missions lasting from 10 days to a month.
Giant SpaceX has been contracted to launch the habitat module on a Falcon 9 rocket, while SpaceX’s Crew Dragon is set to ferry crews to and from the station. Unlike the ISS and Tiangong, which are long-term space habitats, Haven-1 is set to serve as a showcase for the larger, next-generation space station, Haven-2. Vast’s vision is to use Haven-1 to demonstrate the company’s capabilities in hopes of winning a contract with NASA and potentially propel the International Space Station into retirement.
Haven-1 is a compact environment. Researchers, private astronauts, and commercial partners are all welcome to use it to conduct science experiments, manufacturing, and microgravity research. A dedicated Haven-1 laboratory will be equipped with multiple payload racks for biotechnology, materials science, and pharmaceutical applications. International partners have already signed on to contribute to the research.
Gateway to the Moon
3D rendering of the Gateway Space Station – NASA
An entirely new kind of space outpost is taking shape beyond Earth’s orbit. Gateway is designed as a lunar space station, meaning it will orbit the moon and support humanity’s return to Earth’s only natural satellite. Gateway is part of NASA’s Artemis mission program, but it is not a standalone project. Like the ISS, Gateway is planned as a multinational collaboration. Partners from Europe, Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates will work alongside the United States to build the lunar station.
The plan is to place the Gateway in a near-rectilinear halo orbit (basically, a large ellipse), providing stable access to both the lunar surface and space. But Gateway will be much smaller than the ISS with only two main elements. The Habitat and Logistics Outpost Module will provide space for astronauts to live and work, while the Power and Propulsion Element will keep the station in lunar orbit. These two pieces will be launched together with the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, in late 2027. More modules are planned to be added over time.
Once operational, Gateway will serve as a central hub for lunar exploration, enabling science, communications, and logistics for missions to the lunar surface. It will serve as a stepping stone project for future human journeys to Mars, creating a gateway not only to the Moon but to the entire Solar System.
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