Office space ASU is working with Blue Origin to create a business park in orbit.
A mixed-use business park in space may sound like a daydream of the distant future, but Arizona State University is partnering with Blue Origin and other space industry leaders to create one by the end of this decade. Dubbed Orbital Reef, the pioneering space station will make its home in low Earth orbit (LEO) and offer the infrastructure to support new markets in space, including research, manufacturing, travel, education and exploration. And it’s not just for specialists.
“Throughout the 20th century, space exploration has been the realm of the hero, the unreachable astronaut, the one special person. But with Orbital Reef, we will make it accessible for so many more people who can participate in many different ways. This is our moment to bring everyone into space exploration.” — Lindy Elkins-Tanton, vice president, Interplanetary Initiative; professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration NASA selected Orbital Reef, led by Blue Origin, to design a space station in low Earth orbit through a funded Space Act Agreement in the amount of $130 million. NASA’s Commercial LEO Development program aims to shift NASA’s research and exploration activities in LEO to commercial space stations, helping stimulate a growing space economy before the International Space Station is retired.
Announcing Orbital Reef: Your address in orbit Arizona State University is partnering with Blue Origin to create Orbital Reef, a mixed-use space station for commerce, research and tourism.
