Inflatable Space Habitats

[Wingsley]

Could this be part of space travel's future? Perhaps a way to make instant space stations and other outer space habitats more feasible and practical?

NASA Test Could Pave The Way For Future Space Habitats
The BEAM module will be the first expandable structure deployed on the International Space Station.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Apt that the link is to the Huffington Post although manual inflation is not required. Such modules are a valuable option to explore, especially for extended solar system missions, although it seems to have taken a very long time for NASA to get round to staging this trial.

 

[Dryson]

Inflatables will accomplish many of the same mission requirements that Hard Modules, such as those used on the I.S.S. are able to. The only real difference is that the Inflatable Modules will be more compact allowing nearly two times, if not more, internal volume per Inflatable Module.

Having more volume packed into the shipping rocket that then expands allows for up to three to four Inflatable Modules to be delivered on site compared to just one Hard Module. The cost factor involved and the time efficiency cost factor in using Inflatable Modules versus Hard Modules will give companies the ability to launch and build a station or facility in space up to five times faster and will cost five times less than a Hard Module station or facility.

 

[sojourner]

Having more volume packed into the shipping rocket that then expands allows for up to three to four Inflatable Modules to be delivered on site

Or, you know, they could just build one big inflatable with lots of interior space instead of "three to four" smaller ones. Fewer parts = cheaper, easier to manage.

 

[ancient]

It seems like a good direction to go in, at least until we get a space elevator built.

 

[Dryson]

It seems like a good direction to go in, at least until we get a space elevator built.

Maybe the space elevator could be designed using Inflatable Modules. The weight ratio of the inflatable module compared to a steel or even aluminum hard model would allow engineers to develop light weight transfer systems around the softer modules that would reduce the overall cost, overall weight placed on the transfer systems while still allowing the same amount of cargo weight to transported.

 

[Mark_Nguyen]

I like that they're finally doing this, but it's almost too bad that private ventures are blazing a trail instead of NASA doing it. Pretty much all the current ISS modules were built in the 90s and designed 10-15 years before that - this is new and different and I hope it goes far. The previous Bigelow station is still up there, though like this it's just a test article. There will be a few more tests to go before a full, manned station can be built (and subsequently visited by private space access providers). It'll be an interesting era in space exploitation for sure.

Mark

 

[publiusr]

Inflatables have their place--but you may run into problems in terms of grounding things.
I prefer more solid structures: http://newpapyrusmagazine.blogspot.com/2016/04/sls-derived-artificial-gravity-habitats.html

China also looks to do something similar with their new CZ-9
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8447.msg1518861#msg1518861
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=27941.msg1519070#msg1519070

Some recent advances in materials
Foam armor http://nextbigfuture.com/2016/04/one-inch-of-composite-metal-foam-can.html
http://nextbigfuture.com/2016/04/new-metallic-glass-steel-composite.html

 

[YellowSubmarine]

So BEAM is now fully inflated. Hurrah!

Was expecting it would grow bigger. Wonder how it feels to be inside?

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

How do you protect these modules from things like micro meteorite strike or general space junk hitting them? Even radiation could hurt those materials couldn't it?

 

[sojourner]

No. The beam module may Actually be safer.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/05/iss-inflatable-module-beam-expansion/

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Hmm, I'm not sure why that is. Shielding effectiveness against ionising radiation usually scales with atomic number, Z, except for neutron shielding, where compounds of Boron, Cadmium, Carbon, and Hydrogen are most effective as energy moderators and absorbers.

 

[publiusr]

I might want an inflatable ring around docking ports to serve as a bumper of sorts--next time a Progress re-supply craft goes cattywhumpus.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

I might want an inflatable ring around docking ports to serve as a bumper of sorts--next time a Progress re-supply craft goes cattywhumpus.

Hmmmmmmmmm docking. oops bounce. Let's try again.

 

[publiusr]

Space--the only place where the sound of a whoopie cushion deflating causes stark terror.

Until there's no sound at all that is.

 

[B.J.]

Here's the first look inside:
http://www.space.com/33108-inside-beam-inflatable-space-room-photos.html?
Found it interesting that at the aft end, it was ~44 degrees F, very cold! I suppose that would warm up if the air got a chance to circulate, but it'll be sealed off most of the time.