It’s costly to haul materials into space.
That’s why inflatable habitats are so alluring.
They can pack down small and then expand into comfortable living and working spaces.
Lockheed Martin blew up an inflatable habitat prototype to test its limits.
The companyperformed a burst testthat pushed the prototype structure into oblivion.
It finally blew apart at 285 psi, over six times its maximum operating pressure.
That means the test was a huge success.
Check outthe spectacular footage:
The test took place at a Lockheed Martin facility in Colorado.
Sensors and cameras monitored the action, giving researchers lots of data to work with.
TheInternational Space Station already has an inflatable roomin use.
Lockheed Martin wants to take the concept to new places.
Need some elbow room while you’re exploring other worlds?
