Sierra Space, a prominent commercial space company, recently reached a significant milestone in the certification process for its LIFE® 10 commercial space station technology. The company successfully completed its sixth stress test and fourth Ultimate Burst Pressure (UBP) test for the LIFE 10 platform, bringing them one step closer to certifying the structure for human habitation.
During the latest UBP test conducted on October 29, 2024, the LIFE 10 article ruptured at a record-high pressure of 255 psi, exceeding any previous loading in the three-year certification test campaign. This remarkable achievement demonstrates the robustness and reliability of Sierra Space’s technology, as it surpassed NASA’s factor of safety recommendations by a significant margin.
The LIFE 10 platform, which is a scaled-down version of the company’s LIFE® 285 habitat, is designed to inflate to the size of a three-story apartment building in orbit. With the successful completion of the UBP tests, Sierra Space is positioning itself as a leader in commercial space station development, paving the way for future space exploration and habitation.
In addition to the recent milestone, Sierra Space has conducted two UBP tests on the LIFE 285-scale modules in the past year. The company’s innovative approach to inflatable habitat technology will be featured in the upcoming PBS NOVA documentary series “Building Stuff,” scheduled to premiere on November 20th.
Sierra Space CEO, Tom Vice, expressed the company’s dedication to developing cutting-edge technology that will fill the gap in Low Earth Orbit once the International Space Station is decommissioned. The company’s scalable architecture and inflatable habitat technology have practical applications for a wide range of space missions, from Low Earth Orbit to deep space, and even lunar surface infrastructure development.
With over 30 years of space flight heritage and 500 missions under its belt, Sierra Space is revolutionizing space transportation with its Dream Chaser® spaceplane and redefining the future of space destinations with its inflatable and expandable space station technology. The company’s commitment to commercializing space and benefitting life on Earth is evident in its innovative solutions and space-as-a-service offerings for the new space economy.
Sierra Space’s groundbreaking achievements in commercial space technology are not only shaping the future of space exploration but also driving advancements in space innovation. As the industry leader in inflatable habitat technology, Sierra Space continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in space, inspiring a new era of space exploration and discovery.
For media inquiries, please contact Alex Walker at Sierra Space at (303) 803-2297 or via email at alex.walker@sierraspace.com.
