Comments on: Sierra Space confirms burst test of its fullscale inflatable module was successful https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/sierra-space-confirms-burst-test-of-its-fullscale-inflatable-module-was-successful/ Thu, 25 Jan 2024 23:21:25 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: pzatchok https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/sierra-space-confirms-burst-test-of-its-fullscale-inflatable-module-was-successful/#comment-1442730 Thu, 25 Jan 2024 23:21:25 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=102184#comment-1442730 I do believe the BEAM module is 6 inches thick. A dozen layers or more, several self sealing layers and several layers just for blocking radiation. All on top of the several layers of carbon fiber.
Per foot the BEAM module is 5 times heavier than any previous module. And a thousand times safer. The fact that the ISS is leaking like a civ even now I would think they would be clamoring for more like it to replace the modules already in space.
NASA will never accept an operational ‘soft’ module until they have no other choice.

]]> By: Patrick Underwood https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/sierra-space-confirms-burst-test-of-its-fullscale-inflatable-module-was-successful/#comment-1442631 Thu, 25 Jan 2024 01:47:49 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=102184#comment-1442631 It’s a fairly new technology so it’s prudent to sandbag the numbers, just in case. As with the early days of carbon fiber, there may be failure modes that come as a surprise.

]]> By: Robert Zimmerman https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/sierra-space-confirms-burst-test-of-its-fullscale-inflatable-module-was-successful/#comment-1442607 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 21:05:35 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=102184#comment-1442607 In reply to pzatchok.

pzatchok: Though I would be the first person to agree with you about NASA’s tendency to over-regulate private companies for no reason, in this case I wonder if these new requirements are the result of data obtained by NASA from the Bigelow BEAM inflatable module that has been attached to ISS now for several years. It could be the data from it has suggested more ground testing and higher limits for inflatable modules were required.

]]> By: pzatchok https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/sierra-space-confirms-burst-test-of-its-fullscale-inflatable-module-was-successful/#comment-1442599 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:40:16 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=102184#comment-1442599 So instead of demanding the very same thing they found safe for the last 40 years they upped the requirements for “safety”.

For permanent habitat I can see upping the safety margins but nothing they are building is supposed to be permanent. Just long term.

Its just like NASA to demand more from private companies than they accept for themselves.

]]> By: sippin_bourbon https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/sierra-space-confirms-burst-test-of-its-fullscale-inflatable-module-was-successful/#comment-1442594 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 17:51:16 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=102184#comment-1442594 I would think pressure alarms and emergency relief valve( that release pressure into all three axis equally) would prevent a burst in space.

]]> By: sippin_bourbon https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/sierra-space-confirms-burst-test-of-its-fullscale-inflatable-module-was-successful/#comment-1442568 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 13:39:25 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=102184#comment-1442568 So these tests are showing it can take roughly 5 times times 1 atmo (give or take a few pounds),

Are they required to show durability for impacts, show puncture resistance and the ability to patch a leak?

]]> By: David M. Cook https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/sierra-space-confirms-burst-test-of-its-fullscale-inflatable-module-was-successful/#comment-1442560 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 12:34:42 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=102184#comment-1442560 77 PSI sounds like a lot, but what happens when a valve fails from the pressure supply tank & 700 PSI is dumped into the module? Isn‘t that what ruined the SLIM lunar lander mission?

]]> By: pzatchok https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/sierra-space-confirms-burst-test-of-its-fullscale-inflatable-module-was-successful/#comment-1442472 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 02:03:04 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=102184#comment-1442472 Can’t find any quick references to burst testing any previous modules but a few references to NASA making all new requirements for textile habitats.

They also increased the radiation protection requirements.

]]> By: pzatchok https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/sierra-space-confirms-burst-test-of-its-fullscale-inflatable-module-was-successful/#comment-1442454 Tue, 23 Jan 2024 22:49:41 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=102184#comment-1442454 Did NASA demand all the same burst tests on all of its previous modules?

]]>