Move to the Moon or Mars? Startup named Max Space unveils ‘affordable’ plans to stay “beyond Earth”

Max Space, a pioneering startup, aims to propel humanity into the vast reaches of space with its innovative inflatable habitats. Unveiled at the 39th Space Symposium, these expandable structures offer the potential to revolutionize space habitation and pave the way for settlements on the moon and Mars.

Co-founder Aaron Kemmer emphasizes the urgent need for more habitable space in space. Traditional module designs are costly and restrictive, hindering humanity's ability to thrive beyond Earth's confines. Max Space's solution lies in expandable habitats, which promise to provide ample living and working space at a fraction of the cost, reported Space.

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Drawing from his experience at Made In Space, Kemmer champions expandable habitats as the future of space habitation. Unlike conventional modules, these structures launch in a compressed form before expanding significantly in space, maximizing interior volume and minimizing launch costs.

From Concept to Reality: Prototypes in Orbit

The potential of expandable habitats is not merely theoretical; prototypes like Genesis 1, Genesis 2, and BEAM are already in orbit. These pioneering modules, developed by Bigelow Aerospace and Thin Red Line Aerospace, demonstrate the viability of inflatable habitats in space.

Max Space is building on this foundation, leveraging innovative technology to create cost-effective and scalable modules. The company's first off-Earth test is slated for 2026, with a module set to expand to a pressurized volume of 20 cubic meters in orbit.

Looking ahead, Max Space plans to launch larger habitats, with a 100-cubic-meter module scheduled for 2027 and a 1,000-cubic-meter behemoth targeted for 2030. These expandable habitats will cater to a diverse range of customers, from scientific research institutions to commercial space stations.

Beyond Earth orbit, Max Space envisions its habitats playing a pivotal role in lunar and Martian settlements. By enabling off-Earth settlement, the company seeks to fulfill its mission of extending humanity's footprint into the solar system.

For Kemmer and co-founder Maxim de Jong, the journey is driven by a singular purpose: to help humanity realize its destiny among the stars. With their visionary approach and groundbreaking technology, Max Space is charting a course towards a future where settlement beyond Earth is not just a dream, but a reality.

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