The Von Braun Wheel - Building Humanity’s First Rotating Space Station
The Von Braun Wheel - Building Humanity’s First Rotating Space Station  
Podcast: Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur
Published On: Thu May 28 2026
Description: Before NASA, we had a plan for a rotating space station. The Von Braun Wheel could be humanity’s first step toward artificial gravity, orbital habitats, and permanent life beyond Earth.Get Nebula using my link for 50% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthurWatch my exclusive video Surviving a New Ice Age: https://nebula.tv/videos/isaacarthur-surviving-a-new-ice-age🛒 SFIA Merchandise: https://isaac-arthur-shop.fourthwall.com/🌐 Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net❤️ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur⭐ Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur👥 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/📣 Reddit Community: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/🐦 Follow on Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur💬 SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShECredits:The Von Braun WheelWritten, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac ArthurGraphics from Bryan Versteeg, Jeremy Jozwik, Sergio Botero, Udo SchroeterMusic by Stellardrone & Chris ZabriskieSelect imagery/video supplied by Getty ImagesChapters0:00 Intro2:07 What the Von Braun Wheel Actually Was3:35 Why Spin At All?5:28 The Road Not Taken9:15 A Log Cabin in Orbit10:13 Could We Build It Today?13:08 The Missing Link to Mars15:06 Operational Advantages Beyond Health18:12 The Evolutionary Step Between Laboratory and Settlement19:33 From Wheel to Network20:45 Interplanetary Craft23:31 Surviving a New Ice Age24:39 Asteroid Mining and Industrial Outposts27:23 The Infrastructure MultiplierSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.