No assembly required: Proposed space station fits into one launch

Florida startup Max Space unveiled plans for the Thunderbird Station, a commercial space station that deploys in a single rocket launch and expands to 350 cubic meters in space, about one-third the size of the International Space Station. The design eliminates multiple assembly missions, significantly reducing costs while accommodating up to four crew members with research facilities and living spaces. After testing a prototype in 2027, the company plans to launch the full station aboard a Falcon 9 rocket in 2029.