Airbus LOOP Orbital Module Can Be Used as a Three Level Space Habitat

NASA plans to operate the International Space Station (ISS) through 2030, and when the time comes, the Airbus LOOP orbital module will be ready. It can become a part of any post-ISS infrastructure, whether it be commercial or institutional, as LOOP was designed to fit with the upcoming generation of super-heavy launchers that can launch an entire module in one piece.

The orbital module will consist of three levels: a Habitation Deck, Science Deck and Centrifuge for creating gravity conditions for its inhabitants, thus reducing the stress of weightlessness on the human body. It can comfortably accommodate a four-person crew, but could be temporarily be used to house up to eight astronauts at once. You could combine several LOOP modules to form a giant space habitat if necessary as well.

The decks are connected via the so-called ‘Tunnel’ at the center, which is surrounded by a greenhouse structure at the center of the modules. The separation into different decks allows for an internal ‘safe harbour’ concept,” said Airbus.