A prototype Large Integrated Flexible Environment habitat inside the Space Station Processing Facility high bay on April 19, 2021

The Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) is an inflatable space habitat design currently being developed by Sierra Space.[1][2] The proposed Orbital Reef commercial space station would include multiple LIFE habitats.

Development

In September 2022 Sierra Space completed a successful sub-scale Ultimate Burst Pressure test of a LIFE prototype.[3] A second successful test was completed later that year, exceeding NASA certification requirements.[4] On 22 January 2024 the company announced a successful full scale burst test, exceeding safety margins by 27%.[5]

Pathfinder

As soon as the end of 2026, before using LIFE as part of Orbital Reef, Sierra Space is proposing to launch a “pathfinder” version of LIFE as a standalone space station.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "LIFE Habitat (Large Integrated Flexible Environment) | Space Station | Sierra Space".
  2. ^ Evans, Ben. "Sierra Nevada Makes Progress on LIFE Inflatable Habitat for Lunar, Mars Missions". AmericaSpace.
  3. ^ "Sierra Space's LIFE Habitat Completes Successful Ultimate Burst Pressure Test". Sierra Space. 13 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Second Sub-Scale LIFE Habitat Test Article Exceeds NASA Certification Requirements After Ultimate Burst Pressure (UBP) Test". Sierra Space. 13 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Sierra Space Advances its Revolutionary Commercial Space Station Technology" (Press release). Louisville, Colo. January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  6. ^ Foust, Jeff (2023-06-28). "Sierra Space describes long-term plans for Dream Chaser and inflatable modules". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
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