Research
The station concept includes lab access and space-based robotics for proposed research in medicine, space biology and other emerging fields
In-Space Infrastructure
Orbital Reef
Sierra Space is an Orbital Reef partner, bringing expandable habitat technology to a commercial space station concept designed for research, commerce, and human activity in low Earth orbit.
Orbital Reef station concept illustration.
Low Earth orbit
Commercial Infrastructure for Low Earth Orbit
The Orbital Reef station, led by principal partners Sierra Space Corporation® and Blue Origin, is a mixed-use space station concept for low Earth orbit.
Its modular approach is designed to support different activities within a shared destination, with the potential to adapt as customer needs develop.
Station uses
Space for Research, Business, and People
Commercial activity
A proposed mixed-use environment for commerce and research, with diverse applications enabled by modular design and the LIFE® habitat
Living and working in orbit
The concept pairs habitation with research and business spaces, with transportation and onboard crew among its planned services
Sierra Space role
Expandable Habitation Technology
Sierra Space contributes expandable habitat technology to Orbital Reef. The station concept includes the LIFE® habitat structure, which is designed to launch in a compact configuration and expand into pressurized volume in orbit.
Program status
From Architecture to Validation
Orbital Reef remains a development program. Published milestones document progress in station design and supporting technologies.
2022
System Definition Review
The Orbital Reef team completed its System Definition Review with NASA, establishing a functional baseline for further architecture and design work
2024
Life support testing
NASA reported completion of four milestones addressing technologies for cleaning, reclaiming, and storing air and water
2024
Habitat structural testing
NASA reported a full-scale ultimate burst pressure test of Sierra Space’s LIFE® habitat structure, providing data for continued structural evaluation