Lockheed Martin has accomplished a successful burst test of a sub-scale inflatable space module at its Denver facility, with the module enduring a pressure of 253 psi – six times its operational pressure – before intentional rupture. This marks the aerospace company’s second burst test of its kind, confirming previous results’ consistency and reliability. Notably, the module’s explosion caused the test stand to break free, emphasizing the inflatable structure’s extraordinary energy containment ability. The testing is part of NASA’s Next STEP program, targeting technological enhancements for human spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). These inflatable modules are pivotal to NASA’s … Continue reading Lockheed Martin and NASA: Inflating Habitat Dreams of Lunar and Martian Habitation