Insider Brief:
- Sierra Space has passed the “ultimate burst pressure” test for its inflatable space habitat, the Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) module.
- The test demonstrated the module’s ability to withstand pressure, inflating to 77 psi before bursting, surpassing NASA’s safety recommendation by 27%.
- This achievement propels Sierra Space closer to its goal of collaborating with Blue Origin to launch a private space station by the end of the decade, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional rigid structures and paving the way for sustainable space habitats in the future.
- Image credit: Sierra Space
Sierra Space has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in space technology with the successful completion of the “ultimate burst pressure” test for its inflatable space habitat, the Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) module. Conducted at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the test demonstrated the module’s ability to withstand pressure, inflating to 77 psi before bursting, surpassing NASA’s safety recommendation by 27%. Standing over 20-feet-tall, the full-scale LIFE habitat showcases the potential for creating habitable space in low Earth orbit using innovative inflatable structures. Constructed with advanced materials like Vectran straps, Sierra Space’s collaboration with ILC Dover highlights its commitment to reliability and safety. This achievement propels Sierra Space closer to its goal of collaborating with Blue Origin to launch a private space station by the end of the decade, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional rigid structures and paving the way for sustainable space habitats in the future.
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