Max Space unveils new expandable space habitats

Max Space unveils new expandable space habitats
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 16, 2024

During the 39th Space Symposium, Max Space, a pioneering space company, showcased its innovative expandable habitat technology. This technology is distinguished by its ability to scale indefinitely while ensuring structural stability, positioning Max Space as a unique player in the space habitation sector. This capability is anticipated to facilitate mass production and significantly lower the costs associated with flight qualification.

The foundation of Max Space's habitat design is informed by over two decades of innovation, research, and testing in space expandable technologies. This has resulted in the creation of habitats that are lighter than any pressurized structure made from aluminum, titanium, or composites, achieving this at a considerably lower cost. The company's extensive research and development efforts have culminated in a sophisticated design that is optimized for mass production.

Max Space has scheduled the launch of its inaugural habitat aboard a SpaceX vehicle in 2026. The company's vision includes a series of expandable habitats with volumes ranging from 20 m3 to 1,000 m3, aiming to extend up to 10,000 m3 or larger megastructures. These structures could be launched as single units on spacecraft like Starship and New Glenn, facilitating the creation of substantial habitable spaces in orbit and beyond.

Aaron Kemmer, Max Space co-founder, emphasized the limitation of habitable space as a significant challenge in space exploration today. He advocates for making space habitation both affordable and expansive to ensure humanity's prosperous future beyond Earth. The company's scalable modules are designed to be versatile, suitable for deployment in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), cislunar space, the Moon, and Mars, where they can support a wide range of activities, including exploration, research, manufacturing, and entertainment.

Maxim de Jong, another Max Space co-founder, reflected on his experience designing the first two inflatable spacecraft pressure hulls, which remain operational in orbit. Following this achievement, de Jong pursued a new design approach, leading to the development of the expandable architecture that Max Space is now bringing to the forefront of space exploration.

Max Space, co-founded by Aaron Kemmer and Maxim de Jong, is revolutionizing space habitation with its expandable habitats. These habitats promise to significantly increase the volume of habitable space available for use in LEO, cislunar space, and on celestial bodies such as the Moon and Mars, at a reduced cost. Aaron Kemmer is recognized for his role in establishing Made In Space, the first company to achieve manufacturing in space, highlighting the need for more affordable and expansive living spaces in the cosmos.