Sierra Space, in collaboration with Blue Origin, has achieved a significant milestone in the development of its inflatable space habitat. The company recently completed a key test of its Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) module, bringing them one step closer to launching and operating a private space station before the end of the decade.
The test, known as the “ultimate burst pressure” test, took place at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. The purpose of this test was to inflate the module until it burst, in order to determine its maximum pressure capacity. Engineers successfully inflated the module to 77 psi, surpassing NASA’s recommended safety level of 60.8 psi by an impressive 27%.
While Sierra has previously conducted burst tests on smaller-scale versions of the habitat, this is the first time they have tested a full-scale module. Standing at over 20 feet tall and approximately one-third the volume of the International Space Station (ISS), the LIFE module is a remarkable achievement in space habitat design.
In a recent video discussing the test, Leanne Thompson, a systems engineer at Sierra, highlighted the efficiency of their inflatable module compared to traditional methods of constructing habitable space. Thompson pointed out that it took NASA 10 to 15 launches to send up the same volume of habitable space as the LIFE module offers. This demonstrates the potential for Sierra’s technology to revolutionize space station construction and make it more cost-effective.
The focus of the recent test was on the pressure shell or restraint layer of the LIFE habitat. This layer is made up of expandable “softgoods” that behave like a rigid structure once inflated. Softgoods have a long history in aerospace, with inflatable airlocks already being used on the ISS and demonstration modules developed by Bigelow Aerospace being launched in the 2000s.
Sierra’s LIFE habitat incorporates Vectran straps, which are made from high-performance polymers and other materials. These straps, according to Sierra, are stronger than steel when inflated in space. The company is working with ILC Dover to design and test these straps prior to the full-scale test, ensuring their durability and reliability.
It is important to note that the LIFE module should not be compared to a simple balloon. Sierra’s video presentation showcases the complexity of the module, revealing nine layers that make up each module, including thermal insulation and an outer cover. This multi-layered design ensures the module’s structural integrity and provides necessary protection for astronauts.
Sierra’s ultimate goal is to deploy the LIFE modules in low Earth orbit as part of their ambitious project called Orbital Reef. This private space station, developed in collaboration with Blue Origin, aims to provide a platform for scientific research, commercial activities, and even space tourism. By referencing the Orbital Reef project in their press release, Sierra is addressing concerns raised by CNBC last year about the project’s viability.
Looking ahead, Sierra plans to conduct further testing of the other layers of the LIFE habitat, both at sub-scale and full-scale. This year will be marked by aggressive testing as they strive to refine and perfect their design. With each successful test, Sierra Space brings us closer to a future where private space stations are a reality, opening up new frontiers for human exploration and discovery.