Sierra Space to train astronauts at Kennedy Space Center for Orbital Reef

June 14 (UPI) -- Sierra Space announced Tuesday the company will open an astronaut training center at Florida's Kennedy Space Center to build and operate a new commercial space station.

The Sierra Space Human Spaceflight Center and Astronaut Training Academy will train astronauts to work on Orbital Reef, a private business park space station to be built in partnership with Blue Origin for space tourists. Sierra Space said Orbital Reef will create business and research opportunities for industrial, international and commercial customers.

Former NASA astronaut and veteran of three space shuttle missions Janet Kavandi will lead the new training center which is scheduled to open in 2024.

"Our intent is for Sierra Space to stand at the forefront of the commercial space industry," Kavandi said, "... by selecting, training and preparing the very best space exploration talent to lead the way in this new era of low-Earth orbit destinations. We are excited to start this effort at the Kennedy Space Center during this truly formative stage in the new space economy."

Sierra Space plans to train three different types of astronauts. Professional astronauts will operate and maintain Orbital Reef, which will be nearly as large as the International Space Station. Specialist astronauts will conduct research and experiential astronauts will experience life and work in space. Construction on the new space station is expected to start in 2026.

In addition to building space infrastructure for low-Earth orbit commercialization for businesses and tourists, Sierra Space is building space transportation. Dream Chaser is the world's first commercial spaceplane that could start launching and landing next year. The uncrewed, robotic spaceplane will perform cargo resupply and return missions for NASA to the ISS. A crewed version of Dream Chaser is currently in development.