NASA and Sierra Space blew up another space habitat in June, and everyone was smiling. This is because the full-scale inflatable structure failed the “ultimate burst pressure” test only after exceeding NASA’s recommended x4 safety level by 22%.
Sierra Space’s inflatable structure, called a Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE), underwent its final pressure test in January. LIFE is made of “basket weave Vectran fabric” which increases strength when inflated. It is intended to be used as a component of the Orbital Reef space station project, which involves NASA, Blue Origin and Serra Space.
“As we certify LIFE Habitat’s pressure enclosure, this second blast test will provide us with design, repeatability and architecture,” Beth Licavoli, Sierra Space’s textiles program manager, said before the test.
The second test model, called LIFE 285, is more than 20 feet tall and about the size of an “average family home.” The model has larger, lighter “blanking panels” on the walls than previous test models, which Licavoli said allows the model to be expanded and have larger windows.
The latest pressure test reached 74psi before bursting, enough to verify “the scalability of the structure to 10 cubic meters and up to 1,400 cubic meters.” Next year, Sierra Space plans to test its first 500 cubic meter space station technology.
