What is a space station?

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=148899
To launch and operate space stations on mass simulators for upcoming Starship-Super Heavy test flights. To further test the payload deployment mechanism of the Starship vehicle, SpaceX seeks special temporary authority to launch and operate space stations on mass simulators for upcoming Starship-Super Heavy test flights and use these space stations to communicate with SpaceX’s satellite constellation and earth station network for a short duration as those simulators reenter and demise. SpaceX expects the mass simulators to demise within 90 minutes of deployment. These suborbital test flights will originate at Starbase, TX and are expected to reach peak altitudes of up to 350 km.

Space stations huh?


I tend to assume @GaryBurton means something different from this. However, what is needed?

Capability to accept crew on board?
Having docking ports even if it is for supplies but not humans?
or something else?

Can a rocket designed for travel to somewhere ever be a 'space station' and if not does excluding that complicate the definition?

I would tend to assume an AI datacentre is just a satellite but this wording in an official application seems strange to me and perhaps gives pause for thought?

"A large artificial satellite used as a long-term base for manned operations in space"
might be reasonable? What do @traders think?

Nevermind, I am informed that
FCC uses the term "station" to refer to a radio transmission station. The term predates the space age. A "space station" is an RF transmitter in space, as opposed to a "ground station" on the ground. An "STA" is "station temporary authority", which is temporary permission to transmit.

Is publicly stating that he wants to do it enough?

@OlegEterevsky moving parts up to space is trying. He has been planning it but hasn't tried.

@GaryBurton Ok, and does a single non-tanker Starship, that orbits the Earth long-term with some astronauts on board constitute a station?

@OlegEterevsky great question! No... Because a space station is a functioning in and out of crew supplies, and parts. Functions such a ship construction or creating a staging area for later production...

So like for instance he would create several rockets, just for this,but only to go to one point and begin construction of station. After station is going and can receive the next wave of rockets, let's say, but these are going to carry completed ship parts as such then when arriving at the functioning station assembled and secured with no gravity to hamper and a safe distance from Earth's atmosphere in case of engine failures, explosions, etc. Would be cheap too because Elons rockets come back to bring more to station.

Just saying

For this one is that he actually comments to the station and commences to send rockets for a functioning station.

Cold you clarify what you mean by "try"? What sort of scenario would you consider to be an attempt that does not actually involve a functioning space station?