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| Science & Technology |
| Inside the Bigelow Inflatable-Module Plant |
| 2004-09-27 |
| The Bigelow Aerospace project to privately develop inflatable Earth-orbit space modules is beginning to integrate diverse U.S. and European technologies into subscale and full-scale inflatable test modules and subsystems at the company's heavily guarded facilities here. While much public attention is focused on the massive International Space Station (ISS), Bigelow has quietly become a mini-Skunk Works for the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). Ongoing technical assistance to Bigelow from JSC is focused on helping the company spawn development of orbiting commercial inflatable modules by the end of the decade, with the possibility of JSC later using the Bigelow technology for inflatable modules on the Moon or Mars. Rest at link. Just don't run with sharp objects and keep the bicycle repair kit nearby. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #1 There are several new technologies that might make this far more practical. The first and most extraordinary is quantum fabric anti-radiation shielding: unbelieveably enough, a thin layer of flexible fabric that can stop as much hard radiation as can a thick layer of lead. The second is light inflatable foam concrete, that can be sprayed into an inflated shell and will harden as strong as concrete--maybe enhanced with carbon fibers to give you 5-10 ft thick concrete walls. The last few layers, if I were building this thing would be advanced ceramic tiles that can handle the hard radiation and micro-meteors. Again, fairly light. Since it has to be built in space, a logical step would be to reduce the radical construction environment, to cut down on intense heat and cold variations, along with light and darkness problems. This can all be solved with a giant "balloon"-like construction area: think a very light Buckminster Fuller ball. You build your spaceship inside the ball (no atmosphere, though.) But it still solves a ton of problems. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2004-09-27 5:36:27 PM |