6% of space fans willing to live in early smaller space stations

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The National Space Society conducted an Internet survey of 1,075 subjects to shed light on their views regarding the desirability of living in a small space settlement in orbit close to the Earth. This was motivated by studies suggesting that early space settlements can be significantly smaller than previously believed and located very close to Earth, making construction, occupation, and operation vastly easier to execute. The primary goal of the survey was to determine how small, both in land area and population, a settlement could be and still attract a sizeable number of potential settlers. Roughly 6% of all respondents said they could be happy living in a space settlement no bigger than a large cruise ship with no more than 500 people and they would be willing to devote at least 75% of their wealth to be able to live permanently in orbit. While this is a small fraction of the subjects surveyed, when expanded to all space enthusiasts world-wide it should be more than enough to populate a number of small settlements.

At least 30% of all respondents said they agree with at least one of:
1. They would like to live permanently in a space settlement.
2. A settlement no greater than the size of a large cruise ship is enough.
3. No more than 500 people is enough.
4. They would be willing to devote at least 75% of their wealth to move in.

However, only 6% accepted all four of these conditions. That only six percent of respondents were willing to say they could live in an expensive, small, close settlement is not surprising. Living in space is not a small step.

Fortunately, as the global population is over 7.6 billion and many are space enthusiasts, six percent of the total population of space enthusiasts is likely a rather large number of people, certainly more than enough to fill up quite a few 500 person settlements. It is also encouraging that only 8% of respondents flatly rejected living in Kalpana Two. Even some non-space enthusiasts were open to being convinced to move on board.

Interestingly, females responded only a little less enthusiastically than males, even though only 80% identified as ‘space enthusiasts’ as opposed to 97% of the males.

Our concerns about technically capable people being willing to live in a small settlement may not be warranted. 63% of respondents said they could live with 1,000 or less people and 69% said they could live on a settlement no larger than the size of a small college campus. 62% said they could accept both conditions.

Almost half of respondents made less than $50K/year and only three more than $500,000. All of these three were very enthusiastic and checked “I cannot wait to go.” Two were willing to pay “Everything I’ve got.” They did want a larger population, checking “501 to 1,000,” “1,001 to 5,000,” and “More than 10,000” for population size. None said they would be happy on a cruise ship sized settlement. Interestingly, none of them entered anything for the openended questions. The attitudes of the wealthy are important because even with the most optimistic scenarios travel to and from a settlement could easily cost $100,000 or more per person. The cost of transporting the materials for construction using the same optimistic scenario would likely be over $1 million per resident.

This is good news for early space settlements: the first ones can be a mere 500 km away, maybe 100 m across, and have a mass less than 20 times that of the International Space Station (ISS). Thus, building the first space settlement is not necessarily a massive project with gargantuan upfront costs, but rather a difficult albeit tractable engineering problem with large upfront costs.

95 thoughts on “6% of space fans willing to live in early smaller space stations”

  1. 8% of a biased survey is a real small group of people who want this, normal people dont worry as much about space, guessing getting a normal income is what drives most people. Most people dont dream about space. more then 92% nice survey

  2. And many people wouldn’t. The size of a small cruise ship is actually pretty spacious, a lot of people effectively live their lives using less space than that.

  3. 8{22800fc54956079738b58e74e4dcd846757aa319aad70fcf90c97a58f3119a12} of a biased survey is a real small group of people who want this normal people dont worry as much about space guessing getting a normal income is what drives most people. Most people dont dream about space. more then 92{22800fc54956079738b58e74e4dcd846757aa319aad70fcf90c97a58f3119a12} nice survey

  4. And many people wouldn’t.The size of a small cruise ship is actually pretty spacious a lot of people effectively live their lives using less space than that.

  5. It’s a matter of personal preference affected by culture and customs. There are places where people seem to be quite more gregarious and even claustrophilic (or are forced to be due to high cost of living and overpopulation). Other places where people won’t live without open air and miles of open space around them. IMO first space settlers in space will necessarily be people that: – Love closed spaces, plus the new experience (e.g. many of those interviewed above) and have a lot of money, so they can move there and back to Earth again by periods. – Have to live there for a while (e.g. they work in space), developing the taste of it and end up living years there. For me at least, the deal breaker or maker is gravity. And next to that the settlement’s spin, too fast would make it permanently uncomfortable and it would be impossible to live there. And in the longer term, services. Space has to have hospitals, shopping malls, etc. That seems laughable but it’s the kind of thing we expect nowadays, for calling a place ‘home’. But I’m a city dweller, so I’m probably biased on that.

  6. ‘normal’ people. than, not then. I hope people on space stations get more education than those on earth.

  8. Most people don’t dream about space.” If I understand correctly, you think that “most people” don’t mind urban sprawl, crowding, traffic, stinking garbage, poverty-driven crime, etc…. So, you’ve never been to a “flyover state”? Lots of people are very happy that to live in a rather rural setting, myself included; I live in a quiet corner of one of the more densely populated US states. There would undoubtedly be a higher incidence of mental illness on a space station (AKA orbiting soup can).

  9. Bupkiss poll. Why? Because everyone taking it know that they would never actually be held to making good on those statements. Talk is thus VERY cheap.

  10. It’s a matter of personal preference affected by culture and customs. There are places where people seem to be quite more gregarious and even claustrophilic (or are forced to be due to high cost of living and overpopulation).Other places where people won’t live without open air and miles of open space around them.IMO first space settlers in space will necessarily be people that:- Love closed spaces plus the new experience (e.g. many of those interviewed above) and have a lot of money so they can move there and back to Earth again by periods.- Have to live there for a while (e.g. they work in space) developing the taste of it and end up living years there.For me at least the deal breaker or maker is gravity. And next to that the settlement’s spin too fast would make it permanently uncomfortable and it would be impossible to live there.And in the longer term services. Space has to have hospitals shopping malls etc. That seems laughable but it’s the kind of thing we expect nowadays for calling a place ‘home’.But I’m a city dweller so I’m probably biased on that.

  13. Most people don’t dream about space.””If I understand correctly”””” you think that “”””most people”””” don’t mind urban sprawl”” crowding traffic stinking garbage poverty-driven crime etc….So”” you’ve never been to a “”””flyover state””””? Lots of people are very happy that to live in a rather rural setting”””” myself included; I live in a quiet corner of one of the more densely populated US states.There would undoubtedly be a higher incidence of mental illness on a space station (AKA orbiting soup can).”””

  14. These people weren’t swearing under oath ffs; it was a POLL. Relax. I can’t believe you smashed your forehead through your computer screen just because some people indicated in a POLL they’d be willing to live in space.

  16. Bupkiss poll. Why? Because everyone taking it know that they would never actually be held to making good on those statements. Talk is thus VERY cheap.

  17. These people weren’t swearing under oath ffs; it was a POLL.Relax. I can’t believe you smashed your forehead through your computer screen just because some people indicated in a POLL they’d be willing to live in space.

  21. I’d guess that lots of people now 20 years old, will have the opportunity. After all, the FDA won’t be in charge. If life extension escape velocity is reached in 2030, a large fraction of those reading this may have the opportunity. I think it will be found that mature industrial processes like smelting aluminum, with the valuable byproduct of O2 will be much cheaper, and easier in orbit, or on the moon. There’s no reason truly huge structural members cannot be made by additive manufacturing in zero g with molten aluminum. In essence, the members could be slip molded as concrete is today. Perhaps the whole outer hull of an orbital habitat could be cast in one continual pour. Fill the hull with slag for radiation shielding, and then complete the inner structure in as close to a shirtsleeve environment that makes sense. Adjust the spin of the hull to whatever level of gravity is best for inner construction

  22. These people weren’t swearing under oath ffs;” So what? Doesn’t obviate what I just said. In fact, it supports what I said even more.

  23. There’s no good reason to permanently move to an orbital habitat, unless you have a job waiting, or tax incentives will pay for it. Presumably habitats will end up being cheaper than living on earth, since many necessities will be cheaper there. I suspect it will eventually be much like living in a densely populated city, with no cars, or mosquitoes.

  26. I’d guess that lots of people now 20 years old will have the opportunity. After all the FDA won’t be in charge. If life extension escape velocity is reached in 2030 a large fraction of those reading this may have the opportunity. I think it will be found that mature industrial processes like smelting aluminum with the valuable byproduct of O2 will be much cheaper and easier in orbit or on the moon. There’s no reason truly huge structural members cannot be made by additive manufacturing in zero g with molten aluminum. In essence the members could be slip molded as concrete is today. Perhaps the whole outer hull of an orbital habitat could be cast in one continual pour. Fill the hull with slag for radiation shielding and then complete the inner structure in as close to a shirtsleeve environment that makes sense. Adjust the spin of the hull to whatever level of gravity is best for inner construction

  27. These people weren’t swearing under oath ffs;””So what? Doesn’t obviate what I just said. In fact”””” it supports what I said even more.”””

  28. There’s no good reason to permanently move to an orbital habitat unless you have a job waiting or tax incentives will pay for it. Presumably habitats will end up being cheaper than living on earth since many necessities will be cheaper there. I suspect it will eventually be much like living in a densely populated city with no cars or mosquitoes.

  29. With high assurance, I can tell you that the beauty of your scheme rests squarely on being able to craft really, really, really strong materials. For large structures centripetal forces (AKA “centrifugal”) for creating a gravity-like pull combined with the masses of large things, yield some frightful numbers. And things as soft and ductile as aluminum are really not “up for the job” of keeping those centripetal forces contained. Perhaps it is as others have surmised: Von Neumann machines (self-replicating ‘bots) are probably the only way to get maker’s costs down. GoatGuy

  30. With high assurance I can tell you that the beauty of your scheme rests squarely on being able to craft really really really strong materials. For large structures centripetal forces (AKA centrifugal””) for creating a gravity-like pull combined with the masses of large things”””” yield some frightful numbers. And things as soft and ductile as aluminum are really not “”””up for the job”””” of keeping those centripetal forces contained. Perhaps it is as others have surmised: Von Neumann machines (self-replicating ‘bots) are probably the only way to get maker’s costs down. GoatGuy”””

  33. Given that the space “cruise ship” isn’t going anywhere then the space allocated to engines and fuel would be greatly reduced. But I digress. It is hard to argue over analogies.

  34. Depends on what they have to do. Being a claustrophile workaholic I will say that there is some allure to all this for me. Of course I am much more interested in living on the Moon than on a station where I need to firmly attach my radiation shielding so that it is not flung in to space. Maybe it is that the Moon is a better sink for my curiosity. No idea how I would get the wife and kids to move there though.

  35. The asked the wrong questions. Should ask: How long are you willing to drink soylent? Forever, occasionally, never How often are you willing to shower? once per month, biweekly, weekly, once every three days How much space do you need? 30 sq feet, 90 sq ft, 270 sq ft etc

  36. Given that the space cruise ship”” isn’t going anywhere then the space allocated to engines and fuel would be greatly reduced.But I digress. It is hard to argue over analogies.”””

  37. Depends on what they have to do.Being a claustrophile workaholic I will say that there is some allure to all this for me. Of course I am much more interested in living on the Moon than on a station where I need to firmly attach my radiation shielding so that it is not flung in to space.Maybe it is that the Moon is a better sink for my curiosity.No idea how I would get the wife and kids to move there though.

  38. The asked the wrong questions.Should ask:How long are you willing to drink soylent? Forever occasionally neverHow often are you willing to shower? once per month biweekly weekly once every three daysHow much space do you need? 30 sq feet 90 sq ft 270 sq ftetc

  39. Given that the space “cruise ship” isn’t going anywhere then the space allocated to engines and fuel would be greatly reduced. But I digress. It is hard to argue over analogies.

  40. Given that the space cruise ship”” isn’t going anywhere then the space allocated to engines and fuel would be greatly reduced.But I digress. It is hard to argue over analogies.”””

  41. Depends on what they have to do. Being a claustrophile workaholic I will say that there is some allure to all this for me. Of course I am much more interested in living on the Moon than on a station where I need to firmly attach my radiation shielding so that it is not flung in to space. Maybe it is that the Moon is a better sink for my curiosity. No idea how I would get the wife and kids to move there though.

  42. Depends on what they have to do.Being a claustrophile workaholic I will say that there is some allure to all this for me. Of course I am much more interested in living on the Moon than on a station where I need to firmly attach my radiation shielding so that it is not flung in to space.Maybe it is that the Moon is a better sink for my curiosity.No idea how I would get the wife and kids to move there though.

  43. The asked the wrong questions. Should ask: How long are you willing to drink soylent? Forever, occasionally, never How often are you willing to shower? once per month, biweekly, weekly, once every three days How much space do you need? 30 sq feet, 90 sq ft, 270 sq ft etc

  44. The asked the wrong questions.Should ask:How long are you willing to drink soylent? Forever occasionally neverHow often are you willing to shower? once per month biweekly weekly once every three daysHow much space do you need? 30 sq feet 90 sq ft 270 sq ftetc

  45. Given that the space “cruise ship” isn’t going anywhere then the space allocated to engines and fuel would be greatly reduced.

    But I digress. It is hard to argue over analogies.

  46. Depends on what they have to do.

    Being a claustrophile workaholic I will say that there is some allure to all this for me. Of course I am much more interested in living on the Moon than on a station where I need to firmly attach my radiation shielding so that it is not flung in to space.

    Maybe it is that the Moon is a better sink for my curiosity.

    No idea how I would get the wife and kids to move there though.

  47. The asked the wrong questions.

    Should ask:
    How long are you willing to drink soylent? Forever, occasionally, never
    How often are you willing to shower? once per month, biweekly, weekly, once every three days
    How much space do you need? 30 sq feet, 90 sq ft, 270 sq ft

    etc

  50. With high assurance, I can tell you that the beauty of your scheme rests squarely on being able to craft really, really, really strong materials. For large structures centripetal forces (AKA “centrifugal”) for creating a gravity-like pull combined with the masses of large things, yield some frightful numbers. And things as soft and ductile as aluminum are really not “up for the job” of keeping those centripetal forces contained. Perhaps it is as others have surmised: Von Neumann machines (self-replicating ‘bots) are probably the only way to get maker’s costs down. GoatGuy

  51. With high assurance I can tell you that the beauty of your scheme rests squarely on being able to craft really really really strong materials. For large structures centripetal forces (AKA centrifugal””) for creating a gravity-like pull combined with the masses of large things”””” yield some frightful numbers. And things as soft and ductile as aluminum are really not “”””up for the job”””” of keeping those centripetal forces contained. Perhaps it is as others have surmised: Von Neumann machines (self-replicating ‘bots) are probably the only way to get maker’s costs down. GoatGuy”””

  56. I’d guess that lots of people now 20 years old, will have the opportunity. After all, the FDA won’t be in charge. If life extension escape velocity is reached in 2030, a large fraction of those reading this may have the opportunity. I think it will be found that mature industrial processes like smelting aluminum, with the valuable byproduct of O2 will be much cheaper, and easier in orbit, or on the moon. There’s no reason truly huge structural members cannot be made by additive manufacturing in zero g with molten aluminum. In essence, the members could be slip molded as concrete is today. Perhaps the whole outer hull of an orbital habitat could be cast in one continual pour. Fill the hull with slag for radiation shielding, and then complete the inner structure in as close to a shirtsleeve environment that makes sense. Adjust the spin of the hull to whatever level of gravity is best for inner construction

  57. I’d guess that lots of people now 20 years old will have the opportunity. After all the FDA won’t be in charge. If life extension escape velocity is reached in 2030 a large fraction of those reading this may have the opportunity. I think it will be found that mature industrial processes like smelting aluminum with the valuable byproduct of O2 will be much cheaper and easier in orbit or on the moon. There’s no reason truly huge structural members cannot be made by additive manufacturing in zero g with molten aluminum. In essence the members could be slip molded as concrete is today. Perhaps the whole outer hull of an orbital habitat could be cast in one continual pour. Fill the hull with slag for radiation shielding and then complete the inner structure in as close to a shirtsleeve environment that makes sense. Adjust the spin of the hull to whatever level of gravity is best for inner construction

  58. These people weren’t swearing under oath ffs;” So what? Doesn’t obviate what I just said. In fact, it supports what I said even more.

  59. These people weren’t swearing under oath ffs;””So what? Doesn’t obviate what I just said. In fact”””” it supports what I said even more.”””

  60. There’s no good reason to permanently move to an orbital habitat, unless you have a job waiting, or tax incentives will pay for it. Presumably habitats will end up being cheaper than living on earth, since many necessities will be cheaper there. I suspect it will eventually be much like living in a densely populated city, with no cars, or mosquitoes.

  61. There’s no good reason to permanently move to an orbital habitat unless you have a job waiting or tax incentives will pay for it. Presumably habitats will end up being cheaper than living on earth since many necessities will be cheaper there. I suspect it will eventually be much like living in a densely populated city with no cars or mosquitoes.

  62. These people weren’t swearing under oath ffs; it was a POLL. Relax. I can’t believe you smashed your forehead through your computer screen just because some people indicated in a POLL they’d be willing to live in space.

  63. These people weren’t swearing under oath ffs; it was a POLL.Relax. I can’t believe you smashed your forehead through your computer screen just because some people indicated in a POLL they’d be willing to live in space.

  66. Bupkiss poll. Why? Because everyone taking it know that they would never actually be held to making good on those statements. Talk is thus VERY cheap.

  67. Bupkiss poll. Why? Because everyone taking it know that they would never actually be held to making good on those statements. Talk is thus VERY cheap.

  68. It’s a matter of personal preference affected by culture and customs. There are places where people seem to be quite more gregarious and even claustrophilic (or are forced to be due to high cost of living and overpopulation). Other places where people won’t live without open air and miles of open space around them. IMO first space settlers in space will necessarily be people that: – Love closed spaces, plus the new experience (e.g. many of those interviewed above) and have a lot of money, so they can move there and back to Earth again by periods. – Have to live there for a while (e.g. they work in space), developing the taste of it and end up living years there. For me at least, the deal breaker or maker is gravity. And next to that the settlement’s spin, too fast would make it permanently uncomfortable and it would be impossible to live there. And in the longer term, services. Space has to have hospitals, shopping malls, etc. That seems laughable but it’s the kind of thing we expect nowadays, for calling a place ‘home’. But I’m a city dweller, so I’m probably biased on that.

  69. It’s a matter of personal preference affected by culture and customs. There are places where people seem to be quite more gregarious and even claustrophilic (or are forced to be due to high cost of living and overpopulation).Other places where people won’t live without open air and miles of open space around them.IMO first space settlers in space will necessarily be people that:- Love closed spaces plus the new experience (e.g. many of those interviewed above) and have a lot of money so they can move there and back to Earth again by periods.- Have to live there for a while (e.g. they work in space) developing the taste of it and end up living years there.For me at least the deal breaker or maker is gravity. And next to that the settlement’s spin too fast would make it permanently uncomfortable and it would be impossible to live there.And in the longer term services. Space has to have hospitals shopping malls etc. That seems laughable but it’s the kind of thing we expect nowadays for calling a place ‘home’.But I’m a city dweller so I’m probably biased on that.

  74. Most people don’t dream about space.” If I understand correctly, you think that “most people” don’t mind urban sprawl, crowding, traffic, stinking garbage, poverty-driven crime, etc…. So, you’ve never been to a “flyover state”? Lots of people are very happy that to live in a rather rural setting, myself included; I live in a quiet corner of one of the more densely populated US states. There would undoubtedly be a higher incidence of mental illness on a space station (AKA orbiting soup can).

  75. Most people don’t dream about space.””If I understand correctly”””” you think that “”””most people”””” don’t mind urban sprawl”” crowding traffic stinking garbage poverty-driven crime etc….So”” you’ve never been to a “”””flyover state””””? Lots of people are very happy that to live in a rather rural setting”””” myself included; I live in a quiet corner of one of the more densely populated US states.There would undoubtedly be a higher incidence of mental illness on a space station (AKA orbiting soup can).”””

  77. 8% of a biased survey is a real small group of people who want this, normal people dont worry as much about space, guessing getting a normal income is what drives most people. Most people dont dream about space. more then 92% nice survey

  78. 8{22800fc54956079738b58e74e4dcd846757aa319aad70fcf90c97a58f3119a12} of a biased survey is a real small group of people who want this normal people dont worry as much about space guessing getting a normal income is what drives most people. Most people dont dream about space. more then 92{22800fc54956079738b58e74e4dcd846757aa319aad70fcf90c97a58f3119a12} nice survey

  79. With high assurance, I can tell you that the beauty of your scheme rests squarely on being able to craft really, really, really strong materials.

    For large structures centripetal forces (AKA “centrifugal”) for creating a gravity-like pull combined with the masses of large things, yield some frightful numbers. And things as soft and ductile as aluminum are really not “up for the job” of keeping those centripetal forces contained.

    Perhaps it is as others have surmised: Von Neumann machines (self-replicating ‘bots) are probably the only way to get maker’s costs down.

    GoatGuy

  80. And many people wouldn’t. The size of a small cruise ship is actually pretty spacious, a lot of people effectively live their lives using less space than that.

  81. And many people wouldn’t.The size of a small cruise ship is actually pretty spacious a lot of people effectively live their lives using less space than that.

  84. I’d guess that lots of people now 20 years old, will have the opportunity. After all, the FDA won’t be in charge. If life extension escape velocity is reached in 2030, a large fraction of those reading this may have the opportunity.
    I think it will be found that mature industrial processes like smelting aluminum, with the valuable byproduct of O2 will be much cheaper, and easier in orbit, or on the moon. There’s no reason truly huge structural members cannot be made by additive manufacturing in zero g with molten aluminum. In essence, the members could be slip molded as concrete is today. Perhaps the whole outer hull of an orbital habitat could be cast in one continual pour. Fill the hull with slag for radiation shielding, and then complete the inner structure in as close to a shirtsleeve environment that makes sense. Adjust the spin of the hull to whatever level of gravity is best for inner construction

  86. There’s no good reason to permanently move to an orbital habitat, unless you have a job waiting, or tax incentives will pay for it. Presumably habitats will end up being cheaper than living on earth, since many necessities will be cheaper there. I suspect it will eventually be much like living in a densely populated city, with no cars, or mosquitoes.

  87. These people weren’t swearing under oath ffs; it was a POLL.
    Relax. I can’t believe you smashed your forehead through your computer screen just because some people indicated in a POLL they’d be willing to live in space.

  90. It’s a matter of personal preference affected by culture and customs.

    There are places where people seem to be quite more gregarious and even claustrophilic (or are forced to be due to high cost of living and overpopulation).

    Other places where people won’t live without open air and miles of open space around them.

    IMO first space settlers in space will necessarily be people that:
    – Love closed spaces, plus the new experience (e.g. many of those interviewed above) and have a lot of money, so they can move there and back to Earth again by periods.
    – Have to live there for a while (e.g. they work in space), developing the taste of it and end up living years there.

    For me at least, the deal breaker or maker is gravity. And next to that the settlement’s spin, too fast would make it permanently uncomfortable and it would be impossible to live there.

    And in the longer term, services. Space has to have hospitals, shopping malls, etc. That seems laughable but it’s the kind of thing we expect nowadays, for calling a place ‘home’.

    But I’m a city dweller, so I’m probably biased on that.

  93. “Most people don’t dream about space.”

    If I understand correctly, you think that “most people” don’t mind urban sprawl, crowding, traffic, stinking garbage, poverty-driven crime, etc….

    So, you’ve never been to a “flyover state”? Lots of people are very happy that to live in a rather rural setting, myself included; I live in a quiet corner of one of the more densely populated US states.

    There would undoubtedly be a higher incidence of mental illness on a space station (AKA orbiting soup can).

  94. 8% of a biased survey is a real small group of people who want this, normal people dont worry as much about space, guessing getting a normal income is what drives most people. Most people dont dream about space. more then 92% nice survey

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