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Inflatable space habitat

January 01, 1970

Main article: Space habitat (facility)

Inflatable habitats or expandable habitats are pressurized tent-like structures capable of supporting life in outer space whose internal volume increases after launch. They have frequently been proposed for use in space applications to provide a greater volume of living space for a given mass.

Toroid inflatable station concept during testing (NASA 1961)
Inflatable lunar habitat proposal (NASA 1989)

The first formal design and manufacture of an inflatable space habitat was in 1961 with a space station design produced by Goodyear (although this design was never flown).[1] A proposal released in 1989 by Johnson Space Center's Man Systems Division outlined a 16 metres (52 ft) diameter spherical habitat lunar outpost which was partially buried in the lunar surface.

An inflatable module called TransHab (a portmanteau of Trans Habitation) was proposed for the International Space Station,[2] and later the private company Bigelow Aerospace revived the design for use in a number of potential civil and commercial applications.[3][4]

Construction edit

The construction of an inflatable space habitat is determined by its design objectives. However common elements include interwoven layers of highly durable materials such as Kevlar and mylar around a flexible air bladder which is used to retain an atmosphere. The shape of the module is maintained by the pressure difference between the internal atmosphere and the outside vacuum. The inflatable Bigelow Aerospace modules have an internal core which provides structural support during its launch into orbit.

 
An artist's rendering of the TransHab inflatable module berthed to the ISS.
 
The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), attached to the ISS, being inflated on May 28, 2016

Ongoing research edit

Currently the main areas of research are being undertaken by Sierra Space and NASA. NASA is currently studying inflatable lunar bases with the planetary surface habitat and airlock unit[5] which is in an early prototype phase, and has conceptual proposals for utilizing expandable-technology space structures in cislunar and interplanetary crewed exploration spacecraft.[6]

Bigelow Aerospace development work edit

From its founding in 1998 until its closing in 2020, Bigelow Aerospace performed pioneering research and development work in coordination with NASA on inflatable space habitats. In 2021 Sierra Space was founded, which continued the development of inflatable space habitats in partnership with NASA.

Bigelow- Expandable Activity Module edit

Main article: Bigelow Expandable Activity Module

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) was an experimental expandable space station module developed by the now defunct Bigelow Aerospace, under contract to NASA, for testing as a temporary module on the International Space Station (ISS) from 2016 to at least 2020. It arrived at the ISS on April 10, 2016,[7] was berthed to the station on April 16, and was expanded and pressurized on May 28, 2016.

Bigelow- Commercial Space Station edit

The Bigelow Next-Generation Commercial Space Station, composed of two types of expandable space habitat modules, was announced in mid-2010.[8] The initial build-out of the station was announced for 2014/2015, and would have consisted of two Sundancer modules and one B330 module.[9] Bigelow has publicly shown space station design configurations with up to nine B330 modules containing 100,000 cu ft (2,800 m3) of habitable space[10] In 2011 the B330 was in final design with construction getting underway. Bigelow began to publicly refer to the initial configuration—two Sundancer modules and one B330 module—as "Space Complex Alpha" in October 2010.[11]

In March 2020, Bigelow laid off all 88 of its employees. As of January 2024 the company remains dormant and is currently considered defunct.[12][13] In April 2021 Sierra Space was founded, which continued to develop inflatable space habitats as its predecessor Bigelow Aerospace had done previously.

NASA Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle edit

Main article: Nautilus-X

In early 2011, NASA put forward a conceptual proposal for a long-duration crewed space transport vehicle which includes an artificial gravity space habitat intended to promote crew-health for a crew of up to six persons on missions of up to two years duration. Called the Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle (MMSEV), the partial-G torus-ring centrifuge would utilize both standard metal-frame and inflatable spacecraft structures and would provide 0.11 to 0.69 G (1.0791–6.7689 m/s2 or 3.540–22.208 ft/s2).[6][14]

Related to MMSEV is the ISS Centrifuge Demo, proposed in 2011 as a demonstration project preparatory to the final design of the larger torus centrifuge space habitat for the Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle. The structure would have an outside diameter of 30 feet (9.1 m) with a 30 inches (760 mm) ring interior cross-section diameter and would provide 0.08 to 0.51 G (0.7848–5.0031 m/s2 or 2.575–16.414 ft/s2). This test and evaluation centrifuge would have the capability to become a sleep module for ISS crew.[6]

Sierra Space- LIFE Habitat edit

Main article: Large Integrated Flexible Environment
 
Sierra Space's prototype Large Inflatable Fabric Environment (LIFE) habitat inside the Space Station Processing Facility high bay on April 19, 2021

LIFE (Large Integrated Flexible Environment or Large Inflatable Fabric Environment) is an inflatable space habitat currently being developed by Sierra Space.[15][16] The proposed Orbital Reef commercial space station includes multiple LIFE habitats in its design.

Lunar Surface Habitat edit

 
Lunar Surface Habitat

Lunar Surface Habitat is an inflatable habitat proposed by NASA for Artemis program.

Advantages edit

  • All other factors being equal, the aerodynamic load any vehicle is subjected to as it travels through an atmosphere increases with the square of its diameter. Therefore, a launch vehicle's diameter must be kept to a minimum to ensure a reasonably safe and fuel-efficient ascent through the lower atmosphere. In contrast, a vehicle designed to travel in a vacuum can be engineered without regard for aerodynamics. Because the diameter of the habitat is not strictly constrained by the diameter of the launch (and, if desired, re-entry) vehicle(s), inflatables can have a greater volume of living space for a given mass.
  • Some designs offer higher resistance to space debris. For example, the B330 provides ballistic protection superior to traditional aluminum shell designs.[17]
  • Some designs provide higher levels of shielding against radiation. For example, the B330 provides radiation protection equivalent to or better than the International Space Station, "and substantially reduces the dangerous impact of secondary radiation."[17]

Flight experience edit

The 1965 Voskhod 2 mission employed an inflatable airlock for the first ever EVA.

As of 2019, the only designs that have flown in space have been the Genesis I, Genesis II, and Bigelow Expandable Activity Module from Bigelow Aerospace.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ . Archived from the original on 2012-02-06.
  2. ^ Kim Dismukes (curator) (2003-06-27). . NASA.gov. Archived from the original on 2006-06-27. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  3. ^ Holidays in space are on the horizon, New Scientist article (September 4, 2004)
  4. ^ [1], BBC article (July 23, 2010)
  5. ^ "NASA - Camping on the Moon Will Be One Far Out Experience".
  6. ^ a b c NAUTILUS - X: Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle 2011-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Mark L. Holderman, Future in Space Operations (FISO) Colloquium, 2011-01-26, accessed 2011-01-31.
  7. ^ Pearlman, Robert (April 10, 2016). "SpaceX Dragon Arrives at Space Station, Delivers Inflatable Room Prototype". Space.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  8. ^ Bigelow Aerospace — Next-Generation Commercial Space Stations: Orbital Complex Construction 2010-07-10 at the Wayback Machine, Bigelow Aerospace, accessed 2010-07-15.
  9. ^ Bigelow Marketing Inflatable Space Stations, Aviation Week, 2010-05-06, accessed 2010-10-30.
  10. ^ Bigelow Aerospace Shows Off Bigger, Badder Space Real Estate, Popular Mechanics, 2010-10-28, accessed 2010-10-30.
  11. ^ Bigelow still thinks big, The Space Review, 2010-11-01, accessed 2010-11-02.
  12. ^ Foust, Jeff (March 23, 2020). "Bigelow Aerospace lays off entire workforce". SpaceNews. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  13. ^ Trans-Atlantic joint venture aims to build new “international” space station ARSTechnica. By Stephen Clark. August 3, 2023. Accessed January 27, 2024
  14. ^ NASA NAUTILUS-X: multi-mission exploration vehicle includes centrifuge, which would be tested at ISS 2011-02-25 at the Wayback Machine, RLV and Space Transport News, 2011-01-28, accessed 2011-01-31.
  15. ^ "LIFE Habitat (Large Integrated Flexible Environment) | Space Station | Sierra Space".
  16. ^ Sierra Nevada Makes Progress on LIFE Inflatable Habitat for Lunar, Mars Missions
  17. ^ a b Bigelow Aerospace — Next-Generation Commercial Space Stations: BA 330 2010-12-13 at the Wayback Machine, Bigelow Aerospace, 2010, accessed 11 Jan 2011.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Inflatable space habitats.
  • NASA lunar colony idea
  • Lunar habitat
  • Inflatable lunar habitat study
  • NASA history regarding inflatable space habitats

January 01, 1970
inflatable, space, habitat, main, article, space, habitat, facility, inflatable, habitats, expandable, habitats, pressurized, tent, like, structures, capable, supporting, life, outer, space, whose, internal, volume, increases, after, launch, they, have, freque. Main article Space habitat facility Inflatable habitats or expandable habitats are pressurized tent like structures capable of supporting life in outer space whose internal volume increases after launch They have frequently been proposed for use in space applications to provide a greater volume of living space for a given mass Toroid inflatable station concept during testing NASA 1961 Inflatable lunar habitat proposal NASA 1989 The first formal design and manufacture of an inflatable space habitat was in 1961 with a space station design produced by Goodyear although this design was never flown 1 A proposal released in 1989 by Johnson Space Center s Man Systems Division outlined a 16 metres 52 ft diameter spherical habitat lunar outpost which was partially buried in the lunar surface An inflatable module called TransHab a portmanteau of Trans Habitation was proposed for the International Space Station 2 and later the private company Bigelow Aerospace revived the design for use in a number of potential civil and commercial applications 3 4 Contents 1 Construction 2 Ongoing research 2 1 Bigelow Aerospace development work 2 1 1 Bigelow Expandable Activity Module 2 1 2 Bigelow Commercial Space Station 2 2 NASA Multi Mission Space Exploration Vehicle 2 3 Sierra Space LIFE Habitat 2 4 Lunar Surface Habitat 3 Advantages 4 Flight experience 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksConstruction editThe construction of an inflatable space habitat is determined by its design objectives However common elements include interwoven layers of highly durable materials such as Kevlar and mylar around a flexible air bladder which is used to retain an atmosphere The shape of the module is maintained by the pressure difference between the internal atmosphere and the outside vacuum The inflatable Bigelow Aerospace modules have an internal core which provides structural support during its launch into orbit nbsp An artist s rendering of the TransHab inflatable module berthed to the ISS nbsp The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module BEAM attached to the ISS being inflated on May 28 2016Ongoing research editCurrently the main areas of research are being undertaken by Sierra Space and NASA NASA is currently studying inflatable lunar bases with the planetary surface habitat and airlock unit 5 which is in an early prototype phase and has conceptual proposals for utilizing expandable technology space structures in cislunar and interplanetary crewed exploration spacecraft 6 Bigelow Aerospace development work edit From its founding in 1998 until its closing in 2020 Bigelow Aerospace performed pioneering research and development work in coordination with NASA on inflatable space habitats In 2021 Sierra Space was founded which continued the development of inflatable space habitats in partnership with NASA Bigelow Expandable Activity Module edit Main article Bigelow Expandable Activity Module The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module BEAM was an experimental expandable space station module developed by the now defunct Bigelow Aerospace under contract to NASA for testing as a temporary module on the International Space Station ISS from 2016 to at least 2020 It arrived at the ISS on April 10 2016 7 was berthed to the station on April 16 and was expanded and pressurized on May 28 2016 Bigelow Commercial Space Station edit The Bigelow Next Generation Commercial Space Station composed of two types of expandable space habitat modules was announced in mid 2010 8 The initial build out of the station was announced for 2014 2015 and would have consisted of two Sundancer modules and one B330 module 9 Bigelow has publicly shown space station design configurations with up to nine B330 modules containing 100 000 cu ft 2 800 m3 of habitable space 10 In 2011 the B330 was in final design with construction getting underway Bigelow began to publicly refer to the initial configuration two Sundancer modules and one B330 module as Space Complex Alpha in October 2010 11 In March 2020 Bigelow laid off all 88 of its employees As of January 2024 update the company remains dormant and is currently considered defunct 12 13 In April 2021 Sierra Space was founded which continued to develop inflatable space habitats as its predecessor Bigelow Aerospace had done previously NASA Multi Mission Space Exploration Vehicle edit Main article Nautilus X In early 2011 NASA put forward a conceptual proposal for a long duration crewed space transport vehicle which includes an artificial gravity space habitat intended to promote crew health for a crew of up to six persons on missions of up to two years duration Called the Multi Mission Space Exploration Vehicle MMSEV the partial G torus ring centrifuge would utilize both standard metal frame and inflatable spacecraft structures and would provide 0 11 to 0 69 G 1 0791 6 7689 m s2 or 3 540 22 208 ft s2 6 14 Related to MMSEV is the ISS Centrifuge Demo proposed in 2011 as a demonstration project preparatory to the final design of the larger torus centrifuge space habitat for the Multi Mission Space Exploration Vehicle The structure would have an outside diameter of 30 feet 9 1 m with a 30 inches 760 mm ring interior cross section diameter and would provide 0 08 to 0 51 G 0 7848 5 0031 m s2 or 2 575 16 414 ft s2 This test and evaluation centrifuge would have the capability to become a sleep module for ISS crew 6 Sierra Space LIFE Habitat edit Main article Large Integrated Flexible Environment nbsp Sierra Space s prototype Large Inflatable Fabric Environment LIFE habitat inside the Space Station Processing Facility high bay on April 19 2021 LIFE Large Integrated Flexible Environment or Large Inflatable Fabric Environment is an inflatable space habitat currently being developed by Sierra Space 15 16 The proposed Orbital Reef commercial space station includes multiple LIFE habitats in its design Lunar Surface Habitat edit nbsp Lunar Surface Habitat Lunar Surface Habitat is an inflatable habitat proposed by NASA for Artemis program Advantages editAll other factors being equal the aerodynamic load any vehicle is subjected to as it travels through an atmosphere increases with the square of its diameter Therefore a launch vehicle s diameter must be kept to a minimum to ensure a reasonably safe and fuel efficient ascent through the lower atmosphere In contrast a vehicle designed to travel in a vacuum can be engineered without regard for aerodynamics Because the diameter of the habitat is not strictly constrained by the diameter of the launch and if desired re entry vehicle s inflatables can have a greater volume of living space for a given mass Some designs offer higher resistance to space debris For example the B330 provides ballistic protection superior to traditional aluminum shell designs 17 Some designs provide higher levels of shielding against radiation For example the B330 provides radiation protection equivalent to or better than the International Space Station and substantially reduces the dangerous impact of secondary radiation 17 Flight experience editThe 1965 Voskhod 2 mission employed an inflatable airlock for the first ever EVA As of 2019 the only designs that have flown in space have been the Genesis I Genesis II and Bigelow Expandable Activity Module from Bigelow Aerospace See also editPlanetary surface construction Austere Human Missions to Mars Colonization of the Moon Category Human habitats Human outpost artificially created controlled human habitat Inflatable Antenna ExperimentReferences edit GPN 2003 00106 Inflatable Station Concept Archived from the original on 2012 02 06 Kim Dismukes curator 2003 06 27 TransHab Concept NASA gov Archived from the original on 2006 06 27 Retrieved 2007 06 10 Holidays in space are on the horizon New Scientist article September 4 2004 1 BBC article July 23 2010 NASA Camping on the Moon Will Be One Far Out Experience a b c NAUTILUS X Multi Mission Space Exploration Vehicle Archived 2011 03 04 at the Wayback Machine Mark L Holderman Future in Space Operations FISO Colloquium 2011 01 26 accessed 2011 01 31 Pearlman Robert April 10 2016 SpaceX Dragon Arrives at Space Station Delivers Inflatable Room Prototype Space com Retrieved April 11 2016 Bigelow Aerospace Next Generation Commercial Space Stations Orbital Complex Construction Archived 2010 07 10 at the Wayback Machine Bigelow Aerospace accessed 2010 07 15 Bigelow Marketing Inflatable Space Stations Aviation Week 2010 05 06 accessed 2010 10 30 Bigelow Aerospace Shows Off Bigger Badder Space Real Estate Popular Mechanics 2010 10 28 accessed 2010 10 30 Bigelow still thinks big The Space Review 2010 11 01 accessed 2010 11 02 Foust Jeff March 23 2020 Bigelow Aerospace lays off entire workforce SpaceNews Retrieved December 2 2023 Trans Atlantic joint venture aims to build new international space station ARSTechnica By Stephen Clark August 3 2023 Accessed January 27 2024 NASA NAUTILUS X multi mission exploration vehicle includes centrifuge which would be tested at ISS Archived 2011 02 25 at the Wayback Machine RLV and Space Transport News 2011 01 28 accessed 2011 01 31 LIFE Habitat Large Integrated Flexible Environment Space Station Sierra Space Sierra Nevada Makes Progress on LIFE Inflatable Habitat for Lunar Mars Missions a b Bigelow Aerospace Next Generation Commercial Space Stations BA 330 Archived 2010 12 13 at the Wayback Machine Bigelow Aerospace 2010 accessed 11 Jan 2011 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Inflatable space habitats NASA lunar colony idea Lunar habitat Inflatable lunar habitat study NASA history regarding inflatable space habitats Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Inflatable space habitat amp oldid 1201664772, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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