For the purposes of this market, "artificial gravity" means that an occupant of the space station can walk, similar to how they could on earth. I'm quite open to suggestions on how to make the resolution criteria more specific.
1,000
3.00@jonny As another data point, I have always included centrifugal force generated in a spinning structure in microgravity in 'artificial gravity' as it is the only practical solution we have. I have seen many others refer to it as that too.
Vast has been making waves lately, they have a few planned stations that could resolve this market. First element is set to launch August 2025 on a falcon 9.
@Duncn I can’t say I had a particularly nailed down definition of a space station in mind, but yours seems good to me. Broadly something in space capable of sustaining human life but not capable of taking off/landing on the earth of its own volition.
I guess for your second point I’ll say “no” - an environment that allows astronauts to walk approximately normal doesn’t have to be maintained during docking procedures.
@jonny "not capable of taking off/landing on the earth of its own volition" seems potentially restrictive, as it would be reasonable for a single-use rocket to be one of the first things that could qualify as a space station (i.e. primarily constructed on the ground, launched as a unit, and using large portions -- such as a spent stage -- as a counterweight. Likewise, a limited-use space station might well be designed to be deorbited largely intact. How about 'intended for multiple launches'?