![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4FE5NOEB5KFP3FBEWD622YV2KM.jpg?smart=true&auth=118b425ba8581e019e11c36627cc8c82cb2247933cad3e3dd20e22c88d32886b&width=400&height=225)
Rendering of International Lunar Research Station.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GOSNIKBDWJBOJGGI5C4VV4WYHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b70273185343b7b800eba01492b89848598dff1e00c01bb1e917771d989361c&width=400&height=225)
In October, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin announced plans to build a private space station in Earth orbit, called Orbital Reef. Photo: Blue Origin
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7Z5UVOJD6JBHPIFXD7HWWPJAXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc7d1520a788663595c01ffe2ce1fac573ff586e40d8ae5ab74f60bc550e19b6&width=400&height=225)
The interior design of Blue Origin's Orbital Reef space station. Photo: Blue Origin
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXXKIVN6ONBMTG5VJWCSD5PWOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=51271fd533260130db77905572b41862eac80d8313d9f1efb78e02666d4e2e07&width=400&height=225)
Nanoracks unveiled plans of a commercial space station, called Starlab, that would aid efforts in scientific research and tourism. It has partnered with Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin to build its first free-flying space station. Photo: Nanoracks
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6ARY2MZGVBHC5DRBWC2KY722FA.png?smart=true&auth=15be8525481fbad1c43b3707692bf231fa174d450210fc46d063583556c64779&width=400&height=225)
Space infrastructure company Axiom is planning to launch a commercial module to the International Space Station (ISS) that would become its own independent station once the ISS retires. Photo: Axiom Space
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2DTXIULUFNEDNIUA2CSQ5P3RDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=e68e56af0b6ffc4bbd84c1d45317b96f7858af55cbfd17ce6916ddc8fcc0b4d5&width=400&height=225)
Inside the cabin of the Axiom Station, large windows would offer crew views of the Earth. Photo: Axiom Space
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YMT544WW4FHFBPDLGRHXK3ULOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=8949d902cc3147a03463a0a3227ef5efb3ae968a35e86300e1b52f91081c80fc&width=400&height=225)
The interior of the Axiom Station. Photo: Axiom Space
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QOMMIBORNJFCVBBVVE644ZHUYA.png?smart=true&auth=a899b17793cbe9fd775edb45fbb18b2caa73e9bfd9820b05deceb35f8ce299fa&width=400&height=225)
Nasa has ambitious plans to build a station in the Moon’s orbit.
Called the Lunar Gateway, the station would host astronauts before they land on the lunar surface, using a human landing system. Photo: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UDQDRNODJNNNKUGV2T3DNQI5O4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d02373f630d49d85831f8de1845ce17315595ce284a258c68179a3c3a398ae4b&width=400&height=225)
Rendering of International Lunar Research Station.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4FE5NOEB5KFP3FBEWD622YV2KM.jpg?smart=true&auth=118b425ba8581e019e11c36627cc8c82cb2247933cad3e3dd20e22c88d32886b&width=400&height=225)
Rendering of International Lunar Research Station.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GOSNIKBDWJBOJGGI5C4VV4WYHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3b70273185343b7b800eba01492b89848598dff1e00c01bb1e917771d989361c&width=400&height=225)
In October, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin announced plans to build a private space station in Earth orbit, called Orbital Reef. Photo: Blue Origin
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7Z5UVOJD6JBHPIFXD7HWWPJAXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc7d1520a788663595c01ffe2ce1fac573ff586e40d8ae5ab74f60bc550e19b6&width=400&height=225)
The interior design of Blue Origin's Orbital Reef space station. Photo: Blue Origin
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXXKIVN6ONBMTG5VJWCSD5PWOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=51271fd533260130db77905572b41862eac80d8313d9f1efb78e02666d4e2e07&width=400&height=225)
Nanoracks unveiled plans of a commercial space station, called Starlab, that would aid efforts in scientific research and tourism. It has partnered with Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin to build its first free-flying space station. Photo: Nanoracks
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6ARY2MZGVBHC5DRBWC2KY722FA.png?smart=true&auth=15be8525481fbad1c43b3707692bf231fa174d450210fc46d063583556c64779&width=400&height=225)
Space infrastructure company Axiom is planning to launch a commercial module to the International Space Station (ISS) that would become its own independent station once the ISS retires. Photo: Axiom Space
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2DTXIULUFNEDNIUA2CSQ5P3RDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=e68e56af0b6ffc4bbd84c1d45317b96f7858af55cbfd17ce6916ddc8fcc0b4d5&width=400&height=225)
Inside the cabin of the Axiom Station, large windows would offer crew views of the Earth. Photo: Axiom Space
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YMT544WW4FHFBPDLGRHXK3ULOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=8949d902cc3147a03463a0a3227ef5efb3ae968a35e86300e1b52f91081c80fc&width=400&height=225)
The interior of the Axiom Station. Photo: Axiom Space
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QOMMIBORNJFCVBBVVE644ZHUYA.png?smart=true&auth=a899b17793cbe9fd775edb45fbb18b2caa73e9bfd9820b05deceb35f8ce299fa&width=400&height=225)
Nasa has ambitious plans to build a station in the Moon’s orbit.
Called the Lunar Gateway, the station would host astronauts before they land on the lunar surface, using a human landing system. Photo: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UDQDRNODJNNNKUGV2T3DNQI5O4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d02373f630d49d85831f8de1845ce17315595ce284a258c68179a3c3a398ae4b&width=400&height=225)
Rendering of International Lunar Research Station.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4FE5NOEB5KFP3FBEWD622YV2KM.jpg?smart=true&auth=118b425ba8581e019e11c36627cc8c82cb2247933cad3e3dd20e22c88d32886b&width=400&height=225)
Rendering of International Lunar Research Station.
Five planned space stations for tourists and astronauts
Human population in space could rise in future, as private companies and space agencies look to set up more space stations
![Sarwat Nasir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5a1721d1-b1fc-47a7-8c35-985395d5a5ae.png?smart=true&auth=59b598b8295381dbbb5492b5ef6a2ffa0d77e07c0a1086053fcdbee600f14b7f&width=70&height=70)
Sarwat Nasir
27 November, 2021
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