space habitat (facility)#Extraterrestrial surface habitat

{{short description|Facility fulfilling habitational purposes}}

{{Distinguish|Space habitat (settlement)|Space colonization|Habitation Module}}

File:Axiom modules connected to ISS.jpg docked at the forward port of the ISS module Harmony]]

A space habitat (or habitation module) in a basic sense is any facility providing shelter and fulfilling habitational purposes in outer space. It is not to be confused with an extended space settlement, an arrangement of or infrastructure for multiple habitation facilities, in the sense of a space settlement. Space stations or theoretical extraterrestrial stations, such as a moonbase or Mars habitat, include or are basic space habitats.{{cn|date=November 2020}}

The ISS was planned to get a now canceled dedicated Habitation Module.{{cite web|author=Tariq Malik |title=NASA Recycles Former ISS Module for Life Support Research |url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/060214_iss_module.html |work=Space.com|date=2006-02-14 |accessdate=2020-11-27}}

Space tourism is driving the development of dedicated habitats in space. Axiom Station will be a commercial space station with dedicated habitat modules for the purpose of tourism and commercial research.{{Cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-selects-axiom-space-to-build-commercial-space-station-module/|title=NASA selects Axiom Space to build commercial space station module|date=2020-01-28|website=SpaceNews.com|access-date=2020-11-27}}

In particular, inflatable space habitats have been in development for decades. Based on the earlier NASA TransHab design,{{cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0409/27bigelow/ |title=Bigelow's Gamble |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |via=Spaceflight Now |first=Craig |last=Covault |date=September 27, 2004 |accessdate=November 27, 2020}} inflatable habitats have been developed and tested in orbit by the now inactive company Bigelow Aerospace.{{cite web |url=https://www.space.com/30277-bigelow-aerospace-private-space-station.html |title=Inflatable Habitats: From the Space Station to the Moon and Mars? |work=Space.com|author=Mike Wall|date=18 August 2015|accessdate=27 November 2020}}