A live explosion of a prototype of the future International Space Station

The inflatable space station designed by the private company Sierra Space exploded under the eyes of the entire technical project team. The explosion of this unique unit was, in fact, a test to let the engineers know the resistance of their invention to various physical systems.

Coral reefs. This is the name that could bear, in a few years’ time, new space station Developed by the American company Sierra Space. The goal of this would be, by 2030, to replace the current International Space Station. The testing, conducted by technical teams at Orbital Reef as well as NASA engineers, is an essential step in building a new spacecraft. It is used to evaluate the resistance of certain materials to phenomena that may occur in space. In this specific case, the inflatable unit’s resistance to overpressure was tested.

The inflatable reef project is one of three projects to replace the International Space Station co-funded by NASA and private parties. In fact, the US agency has awarded Sierra Space $130 million to produce a A prototype that could potentially replace the International Space Station. According to the American company, starting from the beginning of 2023, new tests (especially fire resistance) will be carried out on mock-ups. Once again, they will make it possible to learn more about the viability of the Orbital Reef project.

To read: Christmas without gravity on the International Space Station

Why did the International Space Station (ISS) stop operating?

Orbital Reef, like two other private projects co-funded by NASA, is part of a new direction taken by the US space agency with the goal of privatization of part of its space activities. This unprecedented decision, made just a year ago, has been particularly explained before Aging from the International Space Station. This resolution was launched in 1998, and many recent problems have led to this resolution in a certain way. In August 2021, for example, astronauts on board discovered deep cracks in one of the station’s modules. Air leaks, holes, or even losses in altitude and uncontrolled changes in direction seemed to have been confirmed conclusively (well deserved) retirement from the International Space Station.

source : space.com