The first step in building a space station is to place the main components into the required orbit. For the earlier, smaller, stations these components were pre-assembled and launched complete (single module stations). Later, larger, stations used modules that were launched separately and assembled in orbit (multi-modular stations).

Early space stations consisted of a single module which was launched, un-occupied, and used on-board engines to attain orbit. The station module itself performed as a spacecraft and used a combination of automation and remote control to place it in the correct orbit.

These stations were pre-assembled on Earth and launched complete in a single mission. The station remained in the required orbital range by regular boosting, using its own engines or those of visiting spacecraft.

The Soviet Salyut stations, U.S. Skylab and Chinese Tiangong-1 ans 2 stations were single module stations. They were all eventually left to de-orbit and be destroyed on re-entry into the atmosphere.

The Salyut programme was the first to launch space station modules into orbit. The programme involved a series of four crewed scientific research stations and two crewed military reconnaissance stations from 1971 to 1986. All stations have been de-orbited and destroyed.

The stations were all based on a similar design with a single pressurised cylindrical module used as a habitat and work area for personnel. There were also one or two docking ports, propulsion systems and solar arrays for power generation.

Each Salyut station was pre-assembled on Earth and launched, complete, on a Soviet Proton K carrier rocket and used their own engines to reach orbit. Experience gained from these stations was used to develop the components and systems used on the later Soviet / Russian Mir station.

Skylab was the first U.S. space station and the only one operated exclusively by the U.S. It was launched in 1973 and de-orbited and destroyed in 1979. The main component was a single large pressurised cylinder used as a habitat for the personnel. It also had an airlock, multiple docking adapter, solar arrays and a large external telescope.

Skylab used a Saturn V rocket's third stage with the propellant tanks removed. It was therefore able to be launched, un-crewed, on a two-stage version of the Saturn V which also placed it into the required orbit.

Experience gained from skylab was later used in the development of the U.S. components of the International Space Station (ISS). The design of the ISS modules, however, was very different to that of Skylab.

China launched its first space station, Tiangong-1, in 2011 and a more advanced station Tiangong-2 in 2016. Another planned larger station, Tiangong-3, was not built. Although these small "space laboratories" were used by visiting crews for science experiments, their main purpose were as test beds for the later, multi-modular, Tiangong Space Station.

Tiangong-1 and 2 were very similar in structure with a large cylindrical pressurised module used as a habitat for personnel to live and work. The modules included an airlock, docking port and an un-pressurised section for propulsion systems and solar array control. Each station was pre-assembled on Earth and launched, complete, on a chinese Long March 2F/G carrier rocket. The stations used their own engines to attain orbit.