Garriott’s Folly

Garriott’s Folly refers to a failed attempt by astronaut Richard Garriott and his team to operate a mini-space station called the “Orbital Life Support Test Facility” in orbit (in the late 1980s). It was intended to test life support systems but was ultimately unsuccessful due to technical difficulties. The term highlights the project's overly optimistic goals and the challenges faced when developing new space technology, serving as a reminder that pioneering efforts often encounter setbacks even when driven by ambitious innovation.