Sierra Space Successfully Tests Explosion-Resistant Inflatable Space Station Module for Orbital Reef Project
Sierra Space, a key player in the race to replace the aging International Space Station (ISS), recently conducted a groundbreaking burst test on its Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) habitat prototype. The test, deliberately causing the module to explode, aimed at assessing its durability and safety for future space missions. The explosive event, equivalent to 164 sticks of dynamite, took place at NASA’s Marshall Space Center in Alabama.
This inflatable module, utilizing soft goods technology from ILC Dover, forms a crucial component of the Sierra Space- and Blue Origin-led Orbital Reef space station. The test marked a significant milestone as it was the first full-scale burst test on the actual module, unlike previous tests conducted on scale models.
Sierra Space’s LIFE habitat prototype boasts dimensions roughly equivalent to an average family home. Measuring three stories tall with a diameter of 27 feet, this inflatable module utilizes microgravity to optimize its interior space, making it an efficient and practical solution for future space exploration.
During the burst test, the LIFE habitat exceeded NASA’s safety requirements by an impressive 27 percent. Withstanding a pressure of 77 pounds per square inch (psi) before bursting, the module demonstrated its resilience and suitability for the challenging conditions of space.
We are driving the reinvention of the space station that will shape a new era of humanity’s exploration and discovery, said Tom Vice, Sierra Space CEO, emphasizing the significance of their work. The inflatable module’s cost-effectiveness and ability to be compressed into a five-meter rocket offer practical advantages in terms of packing space and launch weight.
Sierra Space envisions deploying three of these modules to surpass the size of the ISS, with even larger versions in development, potentially capable of exceeding the ISS’s capacity in a single launch. However, the timeline for replacing the ISS by 2030 remains ambitious, with challenges such as technological advancements, funding constraints, and adherence to safety standards.
NASA, recognizing the urgency of replacing the ISS, has been actively supporting various commercial teams, including Sierra Space and Blue Origin, to develop innovative space station designs. The burst test’s success is a promising step forward in the pursuit of a reliable and resilient space habitat.
In the broader context, Sierra Space’s burst test success contributes to ongoing efforts to reduce any potential gap between space stations, as highlighted by NASA officials. The transition from the ISS to new commercial space stations involves navigating technological, funding, and safety challenges, requiring a clear and robust business case from the industry.
As Sierra Space continues its burst tests and evaluations, the space exploration community eagerly awaits further developments in inflatable space station technology, marking a potential shift in the way humanity inhabits and explores space.
