Sierra Space bursts full-scale inflatable space habitat module
- Reference: 1705942810
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/01/22/sierra_space_bursts_fullscale_inflatable/
- Source link:
[1]The Ultimate Burst Pressure (UBP) test , required inflating the module until it popped, which happened at 77 psi, a good 27 per cent above NASA's recommended level of 60.8 psi. The NASA figure is based on the usual maximum operating pressure of 15.2 psi multiplied by a safety factor of four.
Size-wise, the test article was a third of the volume of the entire International Space Station (ISS) and would fit into a standard five-meter rocket fairing for launch. A 1,400 cubic meter version, packed into a seven-meter rocket fairing – such as the one proposed by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin for its New Glenn rocket – would surpass the size of the ISS in a single launch.
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The ISS is no stranger to inflatable modules – the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) [3]was attached to the outpost in 2016 and is currently serving as storage. However, this latest example on blow-up modules is quite a bit larger.
[4]
[5]
The team has plans for a series of tests in 2024, both at sub- and full-scale, including development of the primary atmospheric barrier and micrometeoroid orbital debris layers. The company plans to deploy its technology in collaboration with Blue Origin on Orbital Reef, a proposed commercial space station in low Earth orbit.
The UBP test focused on the LIFE habitat pressure shell, which includes Vectran straps. According to Sierra Space, "Vectran is stronger than steel when inflated on-orbit and provides high margins of safety under pressure."
[6]
The test didn't go entirely to plan – shortly after passing NASA's recommended psi, a leak was noted and eventually traced to a problematic vent valve rather than the article itself. Problem fixed, the team carried on with the inflation until the test article finally burst.
[7]Youtube Video
Sierra Space is also notable for its Dream Chaser spacecraft, a winged freighter capable of delivering cargo to and from the ISS and returning to Earth using a runway. The first vehicle, Tenacity, will be launched atop a Vulcan Centaur rocket. The maiden launch is currently scheduled for later this year.
[8]Bezos' engineers dream of Blue Ring space platform in orbit by 2025
[9]Commercial space station Orbital Reef's design phase passes NASA review
[10]What will life in orbit look like after the ISS? NASA hands out new space station contracts
[11]Baby Space Shuttle biz chases dreams at Spaceport Cornwall
Sierra Space's CEO, Tom Vice, said, "We're not a company that is trying to escape Earth; we're not a company that thinks that we ought to leave the planet. We're a company that is committed to this home and making it better."
We can't imagine what other company he might be thinking of. ®
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[1] https://www.sierraspace.com/newsroom/press-releases/sierra-space-advances-its-revolutionary-commercial-space-station-technology/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Za9H-hFYancHB1hCMqpz3QAAAIc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2016/04/13/iss_beam_inflation/
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Za9H-hFYancHB1hCMqpz3QAAAIc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Za9H-hFYancHB1hCMqpz3QAAAIc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Za9H-hFYancHB1hCMqpz3QAAAIc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://youtu.be/_7NiBD3KqkQ?si=EVNAQWUoKMMifQwj
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/17/blue_origin_ring_station/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/23/commercial_space_station_orbital_reef/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2021/12/03/nasa_space_station/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/09/snc_cornwall/
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
By Vectran's Beard
Is it just me, or does that material sound suspiciously like a Mitchell and Webb sketch?
What will they think of next ?
Sierra Space is also notable for its Dream Chaser spacecraft, a winged freighter capable of delivering cargo to and from the ISS and returning to Earth using a runway.
Where do they get their crazy ideas ?
They missed a trick there not calling it the UBURP Test!
Fast/Flight/Full Air/Atmospheric Release/Relief Test
Safety margins
I expect my COTS items to have 0% -- or even negative -- margin, meaning performance peaks, or the item fails, at or below rated limits.
Having 50% to 100% margin on any limit (that's additive, so 1.5X to 2X) is somewhat standard.
Taking it to 4X (300% margin) is partly a "Star Trek" joke and mostly pure awesomeness.
But 77 compared to 15.2 = 5X plus 1 ?! Mind blown as completely as that bubble. They deserve these -->
Re: Safety margins
Right? One of my worries with space exploration, especially by corporations, has been that they will allow more lax safety and less rigorous testing. Happy to see things being done thoroughly. Not that NASA and legacy contractors have a spotless record, but it could be much worse.
Do they have external protection against orbital debris?
When that thing popped, it looked like the walls are made of some kind of woven fibers. Is that fabric able to withstand being punctured by chunks of space trash? If not, all this over-pressure margin will hardly matter.
Re: Do they have external protection against orbital debris?
From the article "The team has plans for a series of tests in 2024, both at sub- and full-scale, including development of the primary atmospheric barrier and micrometeoroid orbital debris layers."
Five times over-pressure?
If my "test articles" got to 5 times over-pressure, I'd have to activate my pressure relief valve.
Oh! Grow a pair.
Re: Five times over-pressure?
The target was 4x when new. The real test is what it can do after being in space for its designed life span plus a decade's supply of life extension waivers.
In other space related news
Curry night is approved
Space habitat goes pop!
This strikes me as a sensible way of doing things...