Inflatable core orbital construction method and space station

A method for constructing a manned space station in orbit comprising the steps of:

• inflating a lightweight flexible toroidal surface in space;
• wrapping said inflated toroidal surface around its minor axis with sheets of flexible material thereby creating a rigid toridal structure;
• pressurizing said toroidal structure with a mixture of oxygen and at least one other gas to provide a breathable life-sustaining environment inside said structure;
• and
• rotating said toroidal structure about its major axis to provide an artificial gravity environment inside said structure.

A method for constructing a manned space station in orbit comprising the steps of:

• inflating a lightweight flexible toroidal surface in space;
• wrapping said inflated toroidal surface around its minor axis with sheets of flexible material thereby creating a rigid toroidal structure;
• inflating a lightweight flexible cylindrical surface;
• wrapping said inflated cylindrical surface around its longitudinal axis with sheets of flexible material thereby creating a rigid cylindrical structure;
• cutting a plurality of holes around the inside periphery of said rigid toroidal structure;
• mounting sections of said cylindrical structure around said holes so as to form spoke cylinder passageways into the interior of said toroidal structure;
• mounting a central hub structure at the center of said toroidal structure by connecting said hub structure to said spoke cylinders so as to form air-tight passageways into said hub structure;
• pressurizing the interior of said connected toroidal, cylindrical and hub structures with a mixture of oxygen and at least one other gas to provide a breathable, life-sustaining environment inside said connected structures;
• and
• rotating said toroidal structure about its major axis to provide an artificial gravity environment inside said structure.

A method for constructing a structure in orbit comprising the steps of:

• inflating a thin-walled, closed surface in space;
• mounting an automated wrapping machine containing flexible wrapping material around a portion of said inflated surface;
• and
• wrapping said wrapping material around said inflated surface by means of said wrapping machine to obtain a stress bearing rigid structure.

A method for constructing a structure comprising the steps of:

• inflating a flexible, thin-walled closed surface;
• mounting a wrapping machine containing flexible wrapping material around a portion of said inflated surface;
• and
• wrapping said wrapping material around said inflated surface by means of said wrapping machine to obtain a stress bearing rigid structure.

A system for constructing a structure in orbit comprising:

• a lightweight inflatable surface;
• means for inflating said surface with gas so as to form a semi-rigid, thin-walled, guide structure;
• an automated wrapping wheel;
• at least one long sheet of flexible wrapping material mounted on said wrapping wheel;
• and
• means for moving said wrapping wheel around said inflated guide structure such that as said wheel moves around said inflated structure, said wrapping material is automatically wrapped around said inflated guide structure.

A system for constructing a structure in orbit comprising:

• a plurality of light-weight inflatable surfaces;
• means for inflating said inflatable surfaces with gas so as to form a plurality of semi-rigid, thin-walled, guide structures;
• means for wrapping portions of said plurality of inflated guide structures with a flexible material thereby obtaining a plurality of rigid structures, said wrapping means comprising at least one automated wrapping wheel containing said flexible material and means for moving said wrapping wheel around said inflated guide structures such that as said wheel moves around said inflated structures, said wrapping material is automatically wrapped around said inflated guide structures;
• and
• means for connecting said plurality of rigid structures together so as to form one large structure.

A system for constructing a structure comprising:

• a closed flexible inflatable surface;
• means for inflating said surface with a gas thereby rendering said surface semi-rigid;
• a sheet of wrapping material;
• a wrapping machine containing said sheet of wrapping material;
• means for mounting said wrapping machine around a portion of said inflated surface;
• and
• means for wrapping said material around a portion of said inflated surface by said wrapping machine to obtain a rigid, stress bearing structure.