I'm still a bit skeptical about inflatable modules. They do have advantages over rigid modules in weight and flexibility (both physical flexibility and flexibility of design) but I'm still a bit concerned about micrometeoroid impact and radiation shielding during solar storms. Aluminum alloy can dent and deform under impact, while an inflatable could puncture. Certainly many puncture and impact resistant fabrics are available (such as Kevlar with Kapton film) but imingement by atomic oxygen, common in LEO, could erode organic polymers seriously. This is of course why they are testing the modules abord Russian rockets first...
Yet, I will watch with interest any new developments that surface. I certainly wish Bigelow Aerospace the best of luck in developing this technology--perhaps they will win over even the skeptics amongst us. I hope so...
GoogleNaut wrote: I'm still a bit skeptical about inflatable modules. They do have advantages over rigid modules in weight and flexibility (both physical flexibility and flexibility of design) but I'm still a bit concerned about micrometeoroid impact and radiation shielding during solar storms. Aluminum alloy can dent and deform under impact, while an inflatable could puncture. Certainly many puncture and impact resistant fabrics are available (such as Kevlar with Kapton film) but imingement by atomic oxygen, common in LEO, could erode organic polymers seriously. This is of course why they are testing the modules abord Russian rockets first...
Yet, I will watch with interest any new developments that surface. I certainly wish Bigelow Aerospace the best of luck in developing this technology--perhaps they will win over even the skeptics amongst us. I hope so...
I suppose,inflateable habitats are only suitable for emergency use.Kindley Regards Martin
Well, they could be used for that too. I'm just not quite convinced of the safety aspects. Still, I can be convinved, it just takes a good deal of effort. I think that Bigelow Aerospace is going about it the right way. This is the age old mantra of any flyable hardware: Test, Test, Test...
