by Sierra Space intentionally exploded a small prototype inflatable astronaut habitat in preparation for spaceflight.
The company conducted what it called the “ultimate burst pressure test” (UBP) as it progresses on the long road to developing a private replacement for the International Space Station (ISS). Called the Large Integrated Flexible Environment, or LIFE, the inflatable module will be part of the larger Orbital Reef space station led by Blue Origin. NASA is looking to replace the aging ISS with industry-run private stations in the 2030s, and Orbital Reef is one of them.
The most recent test was the second in 2022, in which a prototype Sierra Space module for Orbital Reef detonated following a similar procedure in July. Simply put, by testing a smaller prototype module to its literal limit, engineers can make spaceflight safer for future astronauts.
“This second successful UBP test proves that we can demonstrate repeatability of design, manufacture and assembly, all key areas for certification,” said Shawn Buckley, LIFE chief engineer and Sierra Space senior director of engineering, in an email -Explanation.
Related: NASA is looking for private outposts to build on the legacy of the International Space Station
The Sierra Space team blew up the module on Nov. 15 in the flame pit of a Saturn 1 and 1B test stand at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, conducting the burst test in the same area where NASA tests rockets for the had Apollo lunar program of 1960s and 1970s.
NASA, former space suit maker ILC Dover, and Sierra Space all collaborated on the test. Analysis is ongoing, but initial work shows Sierra Space has met its commitments for the test, the company said.
NASA commissioned Sierra Space to detonate two prototype modules that are smaller than those used at Orbital Reef and have maximum burst pressures of 192 and 204 pounds per square inch (psi), respectively. Both modules easily exceeded the 182.4 psi safety requirement set by NASA when designing the Orbital Reef.
On photos: Inside the Sierra Nevada inflatable space habitat for astronauts in lunar orbit
A year ago, NASA awarded $415 million divided among three concepts for the early development of private space stations. The money was split almost equally between the three teams: the Orbital Reef team, led by Blue Origin, which includes Sierra Space, received $130 million, the Nanoracks LLC team received $160 million, and the team by Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. $125.6 million.
Sierra Space plans to advance development of Orbital Reef with Blue Origin in 2023 by conducting burst testing on full-size prototypes. Sierra Space intends to use its Dream Chaser cargo plane and a future manned version to deliver astronauts and supplies to the private complex.
Inflatable modules are already being tested by Bigelow Space on the ISS. The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module or BEAM was launched in 2019; ISS astronauts regularly evaluate their performance in orbit against solar radiation and the vacuum of space.
Elizabeth Howell is co-author of “why am i taller (opens in new tab)?” (ECW Press, 2022; starring Canadian astronaut Dave Williams), a book on space medicine. Follow her on Twitter @howellspace (opens in new tab). Follow us on Twitter @spacedotcom (opens in new tab) or Facebook (opens in new tab).
