BROWSE BY TIER

The Ten Tiers

Every company and researcher in the directory is assigned to one primary tier — representing the full technology stack required for sustainable off-Earth settlement. Articles and white papers are tagged to the same taxonomy, so you can follow a single tier across the directory, the rankings, and the blog.

Developments in one tier can and do affect the direction of another tier, as interdisciplinary cooperation and planning are essential to move forward.

Tier 01

Interplanetary Logistics

Launch vehicles, spacecraft, propellant depots, landers

Tier 02

In-Situ Resource Utilization

Extraction & manufacturing from planetary materials

Tier 03

Structural Habitats

Pressurized surface and orbital living structures

Tier 04

Life Support Systems

Closed-loop air, water, thermal; EVA suits

Tier 05

Energy Production & Storage

Nuclear, solar, hybrid power; distribution systems

Tier 06

Food Systems

Controlled agriculture, hydroponics, bioregenerative food

Tier 07

Interplanetary Communications

Deep-space networks, relay satellites, navigation

Tier 08

Robotics

Autonomous robots and rovers for exploration & construction

Tier 09

Extraterrestrial Healthcare

Medical systems, biotech, human factors research

Tier 10

Martian Law & Finance

Legal frameworks, governance, financial systems