Bigelow Aerospace has been prototyping inflatable space structures for some time now. Most people don't know but two of their structures, Genesis I and II, have launched and are currently in orbit proving the feasibility of their design.
The great thing about these structures is that they have the capability to create much larger living and working quarters in space at a fraction of the cost compared to what they call the outdated aluminum cans NASA and other agencies still use. Other side benefits to this new technology may be improved radiation protection and ballistic protection from orbiting debris.
Bigelow Aerospace is in talks with NASA to have one of their inflatable habitats be added to the International Space Station to further test the structure. This is a milestone in the recent commercialization of space because its furthering NASA's cooperation with the up and coming private space companies. With the space shuttle set to decommission soon and new manned craft still years away NASA may become more reliant on private contracts to take astronauts and supplies to the space station.
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/01/27/NASA-considering-inflatable-modules-space-station/
This article is great because I love to see new innovation in this county. People putting their fortune on the line and taking a chance making exciting new products that will help keep the United States as a global leader in technology and entrepreneurship.
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