Blue Origin by Jeff Bezos unveils plans for Orbital Reef, a “business park” in space

• Blue Origin will work with Sierra Space and Boeing to deploy a commercial space station.

• The station, “Orbital Reef”, reflects Jeff Bezos’ vision to perform high carbon work in space.

• The station will be leased for works, research and tourism.

Blue Origin announcement plans to build its own commercial space station on Monday.

The company plans to deploy the space station, called “Orbital Reef”, between 2025 and 2030. Jeff Bezos’ space company plans to use the station as a “mixed-use commercial park,” which will lease space for commerce. , research and space tourism.

Orbital Reef will be almost as large as the International Space Station and can accommodate around 10 people, according to the press release. Several amenities are also planned, including on-site medical care and recreational opportunities.

“For more than sixty years, NASA and other space agencies have been developing orbital spaceflight and space dwellings, preparing us for commercial takeoff during this decade,” said Brent Sherwood, senior vice president of advanced development programs for Blue Origin. “We will expand access, reduce costs and provide all the services and equipment needed to standardize spaceflight. A vibrant business ecosystem will thrive in low earth orbit, generating new discoveries, new products, new entertainment and an outlet. of global consciousness. “

The project is the result of a partnership with Sierra Space, a subsidiary of aerospace entrepreneur Sierra Nevada Corporation, as well as Boeing, Redwire Space and Genesis Engineering.

Orbital Reef reflects Bezos’ vision for Blue Origin, which focuses on moving high carbon industries into space.

An Orbital Reef spokesperson told CNBC that NASA has already announced its intention to be a “primary tenant” of the new station. According to Blue Origin’s timeline, the space station would be deployed before NASA withdraws the International Space Station. The company plans to bid for a NASA contract in the “LEO business destinations“, an effort that could save the space agency more than a billion dollars a year by bringing in private companies.

The story continues

Blue Origin isn’t the only company vying for the NASA contract. As recently as last week, three aerospace companies announced that they were working together to build a space station called Starlab by 2027.

CNBC has Previously reported that Blue Origin has been planning to build a space station for over a year, and has listed several vacancies for an “Orbital Destinations” team.

While Blue Origin has yet to launch a rocket into orbit, the space company completed its second manned space flight earlier this month.

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