Airbus unveiled its futuristic space station concept called LOOP.
The logo of European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is pictured at the International Cybersecurity Forum (FIC) in Lille, northern France, on June 8, 2022. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP)
But is this new space laboratory really better than ISS and other space stations in orbit?
The European aerospace company said that astronauts have been living and working at the International Space Station since 2000.
Airbus added that ISS should only have a 15-year lifetime, which is already exceeded by the space station.
It further stated that ISS is expected to be decommissioned before this decade ends. Because of this, it unveiled the new LOOP space station.
Airbus' Futuristic Space Station Concept Revealed
Via its official website, Airbus said that LOOP is its multi-purpose orbital module. This means that it can be a part of post-ISS and other new space infrastructure.
Airbus' Futuristic Space Station Concept Revealed—Better Than ISS, Other Space Labs?
Also Read: NASA's Multi-Million Neutral Buoyancy Lab Transformed Into Underwater Lunar Surface Replica: Why?
Airbus added that LOOP could be used in commercial and institutional space laboratories in the future.
"It builds on everything that has been learned over the decades and fully exploits the potential of tomorrow's technologies," said Airbus.
The European aircraft manufacturer added that LOOP would be critical in supporting humanity in future space endeavors, such as long-term Mars missions, Lunar missions, and Low-Earth Orbit missions.
Is It Better Than ISS, Other Space Labs?
Space.Com reported that the new Airbus LOOP could provide a more spacious experience, making it more comfortable for astronauts.
Airbus' Futuristic Space Station Concept Revealed—Better Than ISS, Other Space Labs?
The Airbus LOOP has three customizable decks; they are all connected using a tunnel. This tunnel is integrated with greenhouse innovation.
These three levels include the Habitation Deck, the Science Deck, and the Centrifuge Deck.
The separated deck setup will allow the Airbus LOOP to have an internal safe harbor concept. With all these innovations, the Airbus LOOP can provide gravity conditions with reduced weightlessness stress.
It can accommodate up to four astronauts; eight astronauts can stay, but only temporarily.
Aside from these advanced capabilities, the new Airbus LOOP space station can also offer the following services:
- Outfitting Elements
- Consulting services for the design and engineering of In-Space and Space Transportation
- Infrastructure as well as Operations
- Thermal Control Solutions
- Power Generation and Management Systems
- Environmental Control and Life Support System
- Payload Design, Integration, and Hosting Services
If you want to learn more about this new space station concept of Airbus, you can click this link.
In other news, the ESA JUICE mission is expected to find life on Jupiter's moons.
We also reported about NASA's TEMPO, a high-resolution tech for air quality observation that was recently launched.
For more news updates about space stations and other similar innovations, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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