1
International Space Station (ISS)
- Pressurized Volume (m³)
- 915.6
- Operator
- NASA/Roscosmos/ESA/JAXA/CSA
This ranking is based on the pressurized volume of crewed space stations currently in orbit. Pressurized volume serves as a core metric for assessing living, working, and research capacity, reflecting human capabilities for long-term residency and infrastructure scale in low Earth orbit and beyond.
As the undisputed leader, the International Space Station (ISS) remains a 'giant orbital football field' with a mass of approximately 420 tons, boasting an internal habitable volume that exceeds that of a Boeing 747. In contrast, the Tiangong Space Station—the runner-up—weighs only about one-third of the ISS. However, following its 2026 modular upgrades, Tiangong’s integration and digital efficiency have far surpassed the aging veteran. If the ISS is an historic mansion under constant renovation, Tiangong is a highly intelligent, modern smart home. The current landscape of crewed stations reflects a paradigm shift in space exploration from 'sheer scale' to 'operational efficiency'.
| Rank | Name | Pressurized Volume (m³) | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | International Space Station (ISS) | 915.6 | NASA/Roscosmos/ESA/JAXA/CSA |
| 2 | Tiangong Space Station | 110 | CMSA |
| 3 | Axiom Station (Ax-1 Module) | 105 | Axiom Space |
| 4 | Cygnus Space Station (Commercial Module) | 85 | Northrop Grumman |
| 5 | Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) | 16 | Bigelow Aerospace |
| 6 | Nanoracks Space Station (Research Module) | 12 | Nanoracks |
| 7 | Orbital Reef (Demonstrator) | 8 | Blue Origin |
| 8 | Starlab (Pathfinder) | 5 | Voyager Space |
| 9 | No available record | 0 | N/A |
| 10 | No available record | 0 | N/A |
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