
NASA and Sierra Space recently conducted another test of their space structure in June, and it was a success. The inflatable structure, known as the Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE), withstood stress levels 22% above NASA’s x4 safety margins before ultimately failing.
Sierra Space’s LIFE, made from ‘basket-weaved Vectran fabrics’ that strengthen once inflated, underwent its last stress test in January. LIFE is anticipated to be a component of the Orbital Reef Space Station project, a collaboration between NASA, Blue Origin, and Sierra Space.
“This second burst test will help us refine the design, repeatability, and architecture as we move towards certifying the pressure shell of the LIFE habitat,” said Beth Licavoli, Sierra Space’s program manager for soft goods, before the test.
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The current model, LIFE 285, stood over 20 feet tall, roughly the size of an average family home. Compared to its predecessor, the 285 featured larger and lighter ‘blanking plates,’ which, according to Licavoli, helped the model expand and include larger windows.
The latest stress test reached 74 psi before bursting, verifying its “scalability for 10 cubic-meter up to 1,400 cubic-meter structures.” Next year, Sierra Space plans to test its first 500-cubic-meter space station technology.