In July 2019, the US Department of Defense announced the acceptance of applications for the creation of a small orbital station capable of operating both autonomously and in manned mode. Orbital stations have also been announced by several private companies. For example, The Gateway Foundation plans to build a von Braun station by 2025. Axiom Space, which recently sought cooperation with the State Tax Administration, plans to launch the station in 2024.

NAU offers the concept of the transformer space station is proposed, which is launched into orbit in the folded state with one launch of a Falcon 9 class rocket and opens into a hexagonal shape with a large internal volume.

Body of station consists of six hexagonal pipes with sheared ends. They are sealed and can break disconnects. Assembly is carried out using a manipulator.

In the middle can be placed a film or rigid mirror, solar panels or a radar or radiotelescope antenna.

Station can create gravity in the station by rotation.

Stations may be connected in large structure like honeycombs.

Fig.1 Station in opened state.

Fig.2. Station under cover of Falcon 9.