Inflatable Space Modules

BULLER

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/science/space/08space.html

Using NASA's abondoned transhub technology, Bigelows Inflatables double the diameter possible in a standard ISS module while also increasing strength and micrometeorite resistance.
This is the latest update.

Bigelow is collaborating with Boeing using $18 million that NASA has provided for preliminary design of a commercial crew capsule.

Keith Reiley, the program manager at Boeing for the capsule, said he was not very familiar with Bigelow’s space station plans, but was impressed with what Bigelow has contributed to Boeing’s capsule. “They’re a lot more entrepreneurial than we are,” Mr. Reiley said, “and it’s refreshing for us.”

If the Boeing spacecraft is ready by 2014, that is when the dance of Bigelow space station modules will begin.

A habitat called Sundancer, with an inflated volume of about 180 cubic meters, would launch first. A separate rocket would then carry two Bigelow astronauts to take up residence in Sundancer as additional pieces — a second Sundancer, a larger habitat of about 330 cubic meters, and a central connecting node — are launched. The modules are to dock by themselves with the astronauts present to fix any glitches.

Once the stations are up, Bigelow still needs to demonstrate that it can juggle the logistics of supplying food, water and air, as well as fix the inevitable glitches that will arise. Mr. Bigelow said that he would hire people with the needed experience and skills, and that space stations were not all that different from hotels.

“I’ve had four decades of serving people, tens and tens and tens of thousands of people, all over the southwest part of the United States,” he said. “I have four decades of building all kinds of things. The principles are the same.”

As a private company, Bigelow can operate space stations much more efficiently than NASA and its governmental partners can operate the International Space Station, Mr. Bigelow said. (Another of the company values declares: “Make up your mind quickly. Don’t take forever, people are waiting, the company is waiting, the future is waiting and time costs money.”)

NASA’s interest in inflatables has also been revived once again. Among several large technology demonstration projects proposed in the president’s 2011 budget is an inflatable module for the International Space Station. Bigelow is currently talking to NASA about that.

Mr. Bigelow envisions variations of the inflatable modules being used for a Moon base or a mission to Mars.

“Our hope is that we can serve NASA,” he said. “Because we can do it so much more economically.”

Slidwshow:
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/06/07/science/space/20100608-space.html

Very long and interesting artical about the future of manned living modules in space. (and no Enternow, you'll have to read it all by yourself! )

Whats the living volume of a standard US ISS module does anyone know?

ynotdu

Mr Bigelow scares the sh1t outta Me Buller!:eek:

May'be prisoners on death row might take their chances with him as Astronauts though?:)

BULLER

He sures does, I dont know which scares me the most; the mustache or his name!

He does have the right idea though! NASA seem very interested too. Would love to see a module attached to the ISS. It's crazy to think he could build a space station in orbit with the same living volume as the ISS for a fraction of the cost.

Capt'n Midnight

How will the inflatable module be better than reusing the shuttle external tank ?

Beeker

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

How will the inflatable module be better than reusing the shuttle external tank ?

The reuse of the Shuttles ET was a great idea that never happened. With only two flights left that option is no longer a runner.

Capt'n Midnight

one of those great if only's

BULLER

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

How will the inflatable module be better than reusing the shuttle external tank ?

What?! Reusing a massive fuel tank for long term space habititation? Never thought of that but I would imagine there are major obsticals it! In any case, how would it be a converted fuel tank ever be better than a specially designed habitat module?! That should be the real question..

Capt'n Midnight

BULLER wrote: »

What?! Reusing a massive fuel tank for long term space habititation? Never thought of that but I would imagine there are major obsticals it! In any case, how would it be a converted fuel tank ever be better than a specially designed habitat module?! That should be the real question..

The tank is HUGE, it's insulated, IIRC it can be pressurised, and the big incentive is that it's virtually free since it's carried almost to orbit anyway.

The wet lab concept means you could build the module inside the tank, no need to be ergonomic , people could also use it for recreation , running around the circumference like a wall of death like they did on skylab


as an added bonus there would probably be more Oxygen and Hydrogen left over than you'd get on a load of resupply missions.

the tanks are so big and light it would be interesting so see how much work you would have to do to use them as part of a re-entry system , obviously it won't make all the way down

Beeker

I found some images of the plans they had back in the 80's for just such a space station.

BULLER

Nice pics and amazing idea in general.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/images/content/119006main_External_Tank_Cutaway_5530x2060.jpg

Looking at the diagrams though it looks like it would take a great deal of work, especially in space. Theyre around 8 meters in diameter. The inflatable modules that fit on falcon 9 would be 6.7m diamter.

Although a heavy lift rocket could launch an inflatable module that is absolutely enormous.

Capt'n Midnight

you don't need heavy lift because the tank is taken almost to orbit

all you need to lift is the extra fittings inside the tank , would probably be lighter than the inflatable modules since tank can serve as shield and insulation and pressure vessel