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Several private companies are developing commercial space stations. Many are inflatable structures, but  Think Orbital is taking a different approach with its ThinkPlatform.

On this edition of The Ex Terra Podcast, Tom Patton talks with Sebastian Asprella, the CEO of Think Orbital, about the ThinkPlatform and the exciting future for private space stations.

What\'s different about ThinkPlatform? Rather than an inflatable structure, Asprella describes the assembly method of the space station as being like getting a box from Ikea. Flat-packed for launch into space and then assembled robotically. Asprella envisions the ThinkPlatform as being a place for working in space, but not necessarily a place to live, at least at first. More like a warehouse or storage unit than a luxury hotel.

ThinkPlatform Assembly Relies on Robotics

Walking robotic arms, e.g. Canadarm2 or ERA, have been used in space for decades to move itself and the heavy modules around the International Space Station. That is the technology Asprella envisions for assembly of the ThinkPlatform. The engineering requirements of the arm are lower than those for ISS arms because there is no need to catch free flying 10 ton vehicles. The arm can be weaker, slower, lighter, but has to incorporate an electron beam welding gun.

The combination of the robotic arm and an electron beam welding gun creates a "Swiss Army Knife" of universal space assembly.

Sebastian brings more than 25 years of leadership & entrepreneurship experience across business management, IT, pharma & aerospace sectors, in complex, multinational, transformation & digitalization programs to Think Orbital. Over the course of his career, he has delivered 18 products, led more than 25 teams, managing budgets in excess of $500 million.

How does what happens in space affect your everyday life? The Ex Terra podcast is dedicated to introducing you to many of the interesting people involved in the commercial space industry, and taking you behind the scenes with many of the companies making significant contributions to the new space economy. The podcast is available on Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, Breaker, Overcast, Pocketcasts and Radio Public.