Inflatable habitation volumes in space
AssigneeThomas C. Taylor
InventorThomas C. Taylor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved inflatable habitation volume in space comprising reduced cost, improved debris impact protection, enhanced penetration resistance, self sealing qualities, innovative flat end caps, industry accepted commercial design/manufacturing techniques, enhanced inflatable assembly techniques and expanded interior volume. Costs are reduced by compressing the launch package, removing the three gravity launch load requirements from the transportation process and inflating in microgravity. The inflatable habitation volume unit can be connected to either existing orbital facilities or connected to similar units to create expanded volumes and space tourist torus structures rotated for partial gravity.
Claims20
A inflatable volume apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable volume transportable to space in a compressed form;
- a connector providing connection between the inflatable volume and at least one other external device;
- and
- an expandable interior structure comprising tension cables.
A space habitation module comprising:
- an inflatable volume transported to space in a compressed form in an aft cargo carrier;
- and
- an inflatable volume pre-attached to an aft end of an external tank of a space shuttle;
- whereby said inflatable volumes are confined to form the habitation module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.