Discover the futuristic advancements of an inflatable space station to replace the ISS by 2030. Explore the use of durable materials like Vectran for astronaut safety. Learn about potential future space living with commercial space stations like Orbital Reef.
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Quick takeaways
Sierra Space's LIFE inflatable space station uses advanced materials like Vectran to offer safer and more flexible living conditions for astronauts.
Plans for Sierra Space's Life 5000 prototype and the collaboration with Blue Origin hint at a future with expanded human presence and commercial activities in space.
Deep dives
Inflatable Space Station Technology
Sierra Space is developing an inflatable space station called Life that features a fabric structure encased in nine layers of high-tech material including Vectran, which is five times stronger than steel. This innovative design aims to provide protection for astronauts from space radiation, pressure, and meteoroids, offering a safer and more flexible alternative to traditional rigid space stations. The Life station, standing at the height of a three-story building and 27 feet in diameter, is set to accommodate four to six people and enable long-duration stays for researchers to conduct experiments, grow vegetation, and even exercise in microgravity.
Future Plans and Collaborations
Following the launch and deployment of the initial Life station, Sierra Space envisions scaling up with the Life 5000 prototype, which will expand to 5000 cubic meters in orbit, surpassing the current size of the entire International Space Station. Additionally, Sierra is collaborating with Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin to develop the Orbital Reef, a commercial space station and mixed-use business park concept. These ambitious projects signal a significant shift towards expanding human presence and capabilities in space, paving the way for potential long-term habitation and diversified commercial activities beyond Earth.
In 2030 the International Space Station will be replaced by an inflatable one. The Large Integrated Flexible Environment, or LIFE is set to shake up everything about space station technology, starting with the material it's built from. So how does it work and how will it change our space research? Plus: Boeing avoids a 737 Max trial and Copenhagen rewards tourists for sustainability.
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