A nanosat for testing solar sailing has been deployed from a microsat.¹,²

Although exovivaria are not likely to be exporting very much to Earth, inflatables might be useful for return capsules. At this point, it's hard to know whether there would be demand for artifacts and creatures made or born on orbit, but they might eventually gain such collector value that the Project could, through auctions of such items, raise enough money to launch special missions to send them back to Earth, while also replenishing the exovivarium on the same trip. If exovivaria are used for biological experiments requiring live-species return (as with the Mars Gravity Biosatellite), some kind of heat-shielded return capsule will be required. An ordinary ablatively shielded return capsule wouldn't be a good candidate for projectile space launch, but an inflatable designed for reentry might be.

In the early 60s, NASA explored the possibility of a small space station made from an inflatable torus. This project was cancelled after the decision to go directly to the Moon for the Apollo program.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/PAGEOS_Satellite_-_GPN-2000-001896.jpg/240px-PAGEOS_Satellite_-_GPN-2000-001896.jpg | PAGEOS - launched in 1966

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Space_Station_Model_-_GPN-2000-001733.jpg/120px-Space_Station_Model_-_GPN-2000-001733.jpg | Space station model

National space agencies and some private companies are engaged in R&D on inflatables for a variety of space applications. In the late 80s, an inflatable radiator for spacecraft heat rejection was proposed.¹⁰ Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.¹¹ ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.¹²

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Echo-1.jpg | Inflatable space structures - large structures made in space by inflation.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/PAGEOS_Satellite_-_GPN-2000-001896.jpg/240px-PAGEOS_Satellite_-_GPN-2000-001896.jpg | PAGEOS. launched in 1966

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Space_Station_Model_-_GPN-2000-001733.jpg/120px-Space_Station_Model_-_GPN-2000-001733.jpg

Project Persephone proposes that, in the long run, projectile space launch should help make exovivaria much cheaper to build and maintain. Inflatables should help keep costs down as well. Inflation is a way to create large structures from small ones, without resorting to complex assembly procedures.

In the interests of reducing orbital debris risk, several lines of research propose using a balloon to increase drag for deorbiting nanosatellites within a few years after end-of-life or operational failures¹³. Conceivably, the first tests of exovivarium deployment might be to bring a short-mission-duration nanosatellite down from orbit.

Even inside exovivaria, inflatability might be useful. If telebots have wheels, something like rubber tires might be used, as suggested for Mars rovers.¹⁵ Mazes might be constructed for games, using modular inflatables, as on Earth.

Depending on the artificial gravity level and the air density, lighter-than-air UAVs might be possible.¹⁷ Under low artificial gravity, inflatable structures, even though "gossamer" in construction, might still able to bear the weight of animals, plants and telebots. Even in the event of puncturing by orbital debris strikes and spallation from them, or by animals or telebots accidentally tearing the fabric, repair of the fabric of inflatables might be possible using ecosystem-derived adhesives and fabrics.

Even inside exovivaria, inflatability might be useful. If telebots have wheels, something like rubber tires might be used, as suggested for Mars rovers.²⁰ Mazes might be constructed for games, using modular inflatables, as on Earth. Depending on the artificial gravity level and the air density, lighter-than-air UAVs might be possible.²¹ Under low artificial gravity, inflatable structures, even though "gossamer" in construction, might still able to bear the weight of animals, plants and telebots. Even in the event of puncturing by orbital debris strikes and spallation from them, or by animals or telebots accidentally tearing the fabric, repair of the fabric of inflatables might be possible using ecosystem-derived adhesives and fabrics.

There is nothing new about the idea of inflatable space structures. Among the first communications satellites launched by the U.S. in the early 60s were the inflatables of the Echo series. They were designed to reflect radio signals. Each was little more than a mylar bag. Inflating one in orbit resulted in a 41-meter balloon, just barely visible from Earth. The payload required was small: about 65Kg. (Much of the mass of this payload was instrumentation, solar cells, and other equipment.) Because orbit features near-perfect vacuum, not much gas was needed to inflate an Echo. Inflating it after orbit was clearly cheaper. Inflating an Echo before orbit would have entailed launching it in enormous payload fairing, weighing much more than the satellite itself -- if indeed such a launch would even be possible.

There is nothing new about the idea of inflatable space structures. Among the first communications satellites launched by the U.S. in the early 60s were the inflatables of the Echo series. They were designed to reflect radio signals. Each was little more than a mylar balloon. Inflating one in orbit resulted in a 41-meter balloon, just barely visible from Earth. The payload required was small: about 65Kg. (Much of the mass of this payload was instrumentation, solar cells, and other equipment.) Because orbit features near-perfect vacuum, not much gas was needed to inflate an Echo. Inflating it after orbit was clearly cheaper. Inflating an Echo before orbit would have entailed launching it in enormous payload fairing, weighing much more than the satellite itself -- if indeed such a launch would even be possible.

Conceivably, the first tests of exovivarium deployment might be in bringing a short-mission-duration nanosatellite down from orbit. In the interests of reducing orbital debris risk, several lines of research propose using a balloon to increase drag for deorbiting nanosatellites within a few years after end-of-life or operational failures²⁴.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Inflatable_laser_maze%2C_Southport.JPG/120px-Inflatable_laser_maze%2C_Southport.JPG | Laser-tag maze Even inside exovivaria, inflatability might be useful. If telebots have wheels, something like rubber tires might be used, as suggested for Mars rovers.²⁶ Mazes might be constructed for games, using modular inflatables, as on Earth. Depending on the artificial gravity level and the air density, lighter-than-air UAVs might be possible.²⁷ Under low artificial gravity, inflatable structures, even though "gossamer" in construction, might still able to bear the weight of animals, plants and telebots. Even in the event of puncturing by orbital debris strikes and spallation from them, or by animals or telebots accidentally tearing the fabric, some repairs might be possible using ecosystem-derived adhesives and fabrics.

There is nothing new about the idea of inflatable space structures. Among the first communications satellites launched by the U.S. in the early 60s were the inflatables of the Echo series. They were designed to reflect radio signals. Each was little more than a mylar balloon filled with gas. The result was a 41 meter balloon, visible from Earth. The payload required was small: about 65Kg. (Much of the mass of this payload was instrumentation, solar cells, and other equipment.) Because orbit features near-perfect vacuum, not much gas was needed to inflate an Echo. Inflating it after orbit was clearly cheaper. Inflating before orbit would have entailed launching it in enormous payload fairing, weighing much more than the satellite itself, if indeed such a launch would even be possible.

Project Persephone proposes that, in the long run, projectile space launch should help make exovivaria much cheaper to build and maintain. Inflatables should help keep costs down as well.

Launching inflatables to orbit using projectile space launch is probably feasible and might be the cheapest way to put a large structure in orbit. During Project HARP, aluminized parachutes and meteorological balloons survived accelerations in excess of 40,000 Gs.³⁰ Structures hardened for very high accelerations are necessarily smaller than the housing of the projectile, which might be no wider than a large artillery shell. Inflation is a way to create large structures from small ones, without resorting to complex assembly procedures.

There is nothing new about the idea of inflatable space structures. Among the first communications satellites launched by the U.S. in the early 60s were the inflatables of the Echo series. They were designed to reflect radio signals. Each was little more than a mylar balloon filled with gas. The result was a 41 meter balloon, visible from Earth. The payload required was small: about 65Kg. (Much of the mass of this payload was instrumentation, solar cells, and other equipment.) Because orbit features near-perfect vacuum, not much gas was needed to inflate it. Inflating it after orbit was clearly cheaper. Inflating before orbit would have entailed launching it in enormous payload fairing, weighing much more than the satellite itself, if indeed such a launch would even be possible.

National space agencies and some private companies are engaged in R&D on inflatables for more conventional space applications and styles of launch. In the late 80s, an inflatable radiator for spacecraft heat rejection was proposed.³² Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.³³ ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.³⁴

Inflatables within an inflatable

Although exovivaria are ordinarily not likely to be exporting anything to Earth, inflatables might be useful for return capsules in those rare cases. Artifacts and creatures made or born on orbit might eventually have such collector value that the Project could, through auctions, raise enough money to launch special missions to send these bought items back to Earth, while also replenishing the exovivarium on the same trip. If exovivaria are used for biological experiments requiring live-species return (as with the Mars Gravity Biosatellite), some kind of heat-shielded return capsule will be required. An ordinary ablatively shielded return capsule wouldn't be a good candidate for projectile space launch, but an inflatable designed for reentry might be.

There is nothing new about the idea of inflatable space structures. Among the first communications satellites launched by the U.S. in the early 60s were the inflatables of the Echo series. They were designed to reflect radio signals. Each was little more than a mylar balloon filled with gas. The result was a 41 meter balloon, visible from Earth. The payload required was small: about 65Kg. (Much of the mass of this payload was instrumentation, solar cells, and other equipment.) Because orbit features near-perfect vacuum, not much gas was needed to inflate it. Inflating it after orbit was clearly cheaper than inflating it before orbit -- a very large payload fairing would have been needed, weighing much more than the satellite.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Echo-1.jpg | Inflatable space structures - structures made in space by inflating them.

Project Persephone proposes that, in the long run, projectile space launch should help make exovivaria much cheaper to build and maintain. Inflatables should help keep costs down as well. Long before any projectile launch is available, however, Project Persephone could probably benefit by ongoing R&D on inflatable space structures.

Lofting inflatables to orbit using projectile space launch is probably feasible and might be the cheapest way to put a large structure in orbit. During Project HARP, aluminized parachutes and meteorological balloons survived accelerations in excess of 40,000 Gs.³⁸ Structures hardened for very high accelerations are necessarily smaller than the housing of the projectile, which might be no wider than a large artillery shell. Inflation is a way to create large structures from small ones, without resorting to complex assembly procedures.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/OV1-8_PASCOMSAT_Gridsphere.jpg/120px-OV1-8_PASCOMSAT_Gridsphere.jpg | OV1-8 Gridsphere Lofting inflatables to orbit using projectile space launch is probably feasible and might be the cheapest way to put a large structure in orbit. During Project HARP, aluminized parachutes and meteorological balloons survived accelerations in excess of 40,000 Gs.⁴¹ Structures hardened for very high accelerations are necessarily smaller than the housing of the projectile, which might be no wider than a large artillery shell. Inflation is a way to create large structures from small ones, without resorting to complex assembly procedures.

Project Persephone proposes that, in the long run, projectile space launch should help make exovivaria much cheaper to build and maintain. Inflatables should help keep costs down as well. Long before any projectile launch is available, however, Project Persephone could probably benefit by ongoing R&D on inflatable space structures.

There is nothing new about the idea of inflatable space structures. Among the first communications satellites launched by the U.S. in the early 60s were the inflatables of the Echo series. They were designed to reflect radio signals. Each was little more than a mylar balloon filled with gas. The result was a 41 meter balloon, visible from Earth. The payload required was small: about 65Kg. (Much of the mass of this payload was instrumentation, solar cells, and other equipment.) Because orbit features near-perfect vacuum, not much gas was needed to inflate it. Inflating it after orbit was clearly cheaper than inflating it before orbit -- a very large housing for the balloon would have been needed, weighing much more than the satellite.

Project Persephone proposes that, in the long run, projectile space launch should help make exovivaria much cheaper to build and maintain. Inflatables should help keep costs down as well. Long before any projectile launch is available, however, Project Persephone could probably benefit by R&D on inflatables. National space agencies and some private companies are engaged in R&D on inflatables for more conventional space applications and styles of launch. Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.⁴² ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.⁴³

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Echo-1.jpg Inflatable space structures - structures made in space by inflating them.

There is nothing new about the idea of inflatable space structures. Some of the first satellites launched by the U.S. in the early 60s were inflatables. They were designed to reflect radio signals. Each was little more than a mylar balloon filled with gas. The result was a 41 meter balloon, visible from Earth. The payload required was small: about 65Kg. (Much of the mass of this payload was instrumentation, solar cells, and other equipment.) Because orbit features near-perfect vacuum, not much gas was needed to inflate it. Inflating it after orbit was clearly cheaper than inflating it before orbit -- a very large housing for the balloon would have been needed, weighing much more than the satellite.

Lofting inflatables to orbit using projectile space launch is probably feasible and might be the cheapest way to put a large structure in orbit. During Project HARP, aluminized parachutes and meteorological balloons survived accelerations in excess of 40,000 Gs.⁴⁷ Most structures hardened for very high acceleration launch are necessarily smaller than the housing of the projectile, which might be no wider than a large artillery shell. Inflation is a way to create much larger structures without resorting to complex assembly procedures.

Lofting inflatables to orbit using projectile space launch is probably feasible and might be the cheapest way to put a large structure in orbit. During Project HARP, it was proposed that gun launch be used to orbit inflatable satellites like those of the Echo series. Most structures hardened for very high acceleration launch are necessarily smaller than the housing of the projectile, which might be no wider than a large artillery shell. Inflation is a way to create much larger structures without resorting to complex assembly procedures.

Conceivably, the first tests of exovivarium deployment might be in bringing a short-mission-duration nanosatellite down from orbit. In the interests of reducing orbital debris risk, several lines of research propose using a balloon to increase drag for deorbiting nanosatellites within a few years after end-of-life or operational failures⁵⁰.

Project Persephone proposes that, in the long run, projectile space launch should help make exovivaria much cheaper to build and maintain. Inflatables should help keep costs down as well. Long before any projectile launch is available, however, Project Persephone could probably benefit by R&D on inflatables. National space agencies and some private companies are engaged in R&D on inflatables for more conventional space applications and styles of launch. Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.⁵² ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.⁵³ A nanosat for testing solar sailing has been deployed from a microsat.⁵⁴,⁵⁵

Even inside exovivaria, inflatability might be useful. If telebots have wheels, something like rubber tires might be used, as suggested for Mars rovers.⁶¹ Mazes might be constructed for games, using modular inflatables, as on Earth. Depending on the artificial gravity level and the air density, lighter-than-air UAVs might be possible.⁶² Under low artificial gravity, inflatable structures, even though "gossamer" in construction, might still able to bear the weight of animals, plants and telebots. Even in the event of puncturing by orbital debris strikes and spallation from them, or by animals or telebots accidentally tearing the fabric, some repairs might be possible using ecosystem-derived adhesives and fabrics.

Project Persephone proposes that, in the long run, projectile space launch should help make exovivaria much cheaper to build and maintain. Inflatables should help keep costs down as well. Long before any projectile launch is available, however, Project Persephone could probably benefit by R&D on inflatables. National space agencies and some private companies are engaged in R&D on inflatables for more conventional space applications and styles of launch. Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.⁶⁵ ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.⁶⁶ A nanosat for testing solar sailing has been deployed from a microsat.⁶⁷

Project Persephone proposes that, in the long run, projectile space launch should help make exovivaria much cheaper to build and maintain. Inflatables should help keep costs down as well.

Long before any projectile launch is available, however, Project Persephone could probably benefit by R&D on inflatables. National space agencies and some private companies are engaged in R&D on inflatables for more conventional space applications and styles of launch. Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.⁷² ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.⁷³ A nanosat for testing solar sailing has been deployed from a microsat.⁷⁴

Long before any projectile launch is available, however, Project Persephone could probably benefit by R&D on inflatables. National space agencies and by some private companies are engaged in R&D on inflatables for more conventional space applications and styles of launch. Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.⁷⁸ ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.⁷⁹ A nanosat for testing solar sailing has been deployed from a microsat.⁸⁰

Even inside exovivaria, inflatability might be useful. If telebots have wheels, something like rubber tires might be used, as suggested for Mars rovers.⁸⁴ Mazes might be constructed for games, using modular inflatables, as on Earth. Depending on the artificial gravity level and the air density, lighter-than-air UAVs might be possible.⁸⁵ Under low artificial gravity, inflatable structures, even though "gossamer" in construction, mights still able to bear the weight of animals, plants and telebots. Even in the event of puncturing by orbital debris strikes and spallation from them, or by animals or telebots accidentally tearing the fabric, some repairs might be possible using ecosystem-derived adhesives and fabrics.

Even inside exovivaria, inflatability might be useful. If telebots have wheels, something like rubber tires might be used, as suggested for Mars rovers.⁸⁸ Mazes might be constructed for games, using modular inflatables, as on Earth. Under low artificial gravity, inflatable structures might be "gossamer" in construction, yet still able to bear the weight of animals, plants and telebots. Even in the event of puncturing by orbital debris strikes and spallation from them, or by animals or telebots accidentally tearing the fabric, some repairs might be possible using ecosystem-derived adhesives and fabrics.

Although exovivaria are ordinarily not likely to be exporting anything to Earth, inflatables might be useful for return capsules in those rare cases. Artifacts and creatures made or born on orbit mighteventually have such collector value that the Project could, through auctions, raise enough money to launch special missions to send these bought items back to Earth, while also replenishing the exovivarium on the same trip. If exovivaria are used for biological experiments requiring live-species return (as with the Mars Gravity Biosatellite), some kind of heat-shielded return capsule will be required. An ordinary ablatively shielded return capsule wouldn't be a good candidate for projectile space launch, but an inflatable designed for reentry might be.

Although exovivaria are not likely to be exporting anything to Earth ordinarily, if they are used for biological experiments requiring live-species return (as with the Mars Gravity Biosatellite), some kind of heat-shielded return capsule will be required. An ordinary ablatively shielded return capsule wouldn't be a good candidate for projectile space launch, but an inflatable designed for reentry might be.

Even inside exovivaria, inflatability might be useful. If telebots have wheels, something like rubber tires might be used, as suggested for Mars rovers.⁹¹ Mazes might be constructed for games, using modular inflatables, as on Earth. Under low artificial gravity, inflatable structures might be "gossamer" in construction, yet still able to bear the weight of animals, plants and telebots.

Even inside exovivaria, inflatability might be useful. If telebots have wheels, something like rubber tires might be used, as suggested for Mars rovers.⁹³ Mazes might be constructed for games, using modular inflatables, as on Earth.

Even inside exovivaria, inflatability might be useful. If telebots have wheels, something like rubber tires might be used, as suggested for Mars rovers.⁹⁵

Long before any projectile launch is available, however, Project Persephone could probably benefit by R&D on inflatables. National space agencies and by some private companies are engaged in R&D on inflatables for more conventional space applications and styles of launch. Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.⁹⁸ ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.⁹⁹ A nanosat for testing solar sailing has been deployed from a microsat.¹⁰⁰

¹ NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

² "NanoSail-D", [[NASA, 2009]] ⇑

³ NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

⁴ "NanoSail-D", NASA?, 2009 ⇑

⁵ "NASA to Test Inflatable Heat Shield", Parabolic Arc, May 23, 2012 ⇑

⁶ "Inflatable Station Concept", Great Images in NASA, updated May 13, 2010. ⇑

⁷ Jonathan Beard, Balloon in Space Takes the Heat Off Spacecraft", New Scientist, October 1989 ⇑

⁸ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁹ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

¹⁰ Jonathan Beard, Balloon in Space Takes the Heat Off Spacecraft", New Scientist, October 1989 ⇑

¹¹ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

¹² Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

¹³ see e.g., "Simple and Small De-orbiting Package for Nano-Satellites Using an Inflatable Balloon", Nakasuka, Shinichi; Senda, Kei; Watanabe, Akihito; Yajima, Takashi; Sahara, Hironori, Transactions of Space Technology Japan, Volume 7, Issue ists26, pp. Tf_31-Tf_36 (2009). DOI 10.2322/tstj.7.Tf_31 ⇑

¹⁴ see e.g., "Simple and Small De-orbiting Package for Nano-Satellites Using an Inflatable Balloon", Nakasuka, Shinichi; Senda, Kei; Watanabe, Akihito; Yajima, Takashi; Sahara, Hironori, Transactions of Space Technology Japan, Volume 7, Issue ists26, pp. Tf_31-Tf_36 (2009). DOI 10.2322/tstj.7.Tf_31 ⇑

¹⁵ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel", Dimitrios Apostolopoulos, Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

¹⁶ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel", Dimitrios Apostolopoulos, Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

¹⁷ This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

¹⁸ This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

¹⁹ Perhaps by orbital debris strikes and spallation from them, or by animals or telebots accidentally tearing them. ⇑

²⁰ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel", Dimitrios Apostolopoulos, Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

²¹ This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

²² "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel", Dimitrios Apostolopoulos, Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

²³ This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

²⁴ see e.g., "Simple and Small De-orbiting Package for Nano-Satellites Using an Inflatable Balloon", Nakasuka, Shinichi; Senda, Kei; Watanabe, Akihito; Yajima, Takashi; Sahara, Hironori, Transactions of Space Technology Japan, Volume 7, Issue ists26, pp. Tf_31-Tf_36 (2009). DOI 10.2322/tstj.7.Tf_31 ⇑

²⁵ see e.g., "Simple and Small De-orbiting Package for Nano-Satellites Using an Inflatable Balloon", Nakasuka, Shinichi; Senda, Kei; Watanabe, Akihito; Yajima, Takashi; Sahara, Hironori, Transactions of Space Technology Japan, Volume 7, Issue ists26, pp. Tf_31-Tf_36 (2009). DOI 10.2322/tstj.7.Tf_31 ⇑

²⁶ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel", Dimitrios Apostolopoulos, Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

²⁷ This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

²⁸ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel", Dimitrios Apostolopoulos, Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

²⁹ This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

³⁰ CH Murphy, GV Bull, "A review of Project HARP, Ballistics Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 1966; also Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, v.140, Planetology and Space Mission Planning, pp.337–357, Dec 1966. DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1966.tb50970.x ⇑

³¹ CH Murphy, GV Bull, "A review of Project HARP, Ballistics Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 1966; also Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, v.140, Planetology and Space Mission Planning, pp.337–357, Dec 1966. DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1966.tb50970.x ⇑

³² Jonathan Beard, Balloon in Space Takes the Heat Off Spacecraft", New Scientist, October 1989 ⇑

³³ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

³⁴ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

³⁵ Jonathan Beard, Balloon in Space Takes the Heat Off Spacecraft", New Scientist, October 1989 ⇑

³⁶ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

³⁷ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

³⁸ CH Murphy, GV Bull, "A review of Project HARP, Ballistics Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 1966; also Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, v.140, Planetology and Space Mission Planning, pp.337–357, Dec 1966. DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1966.tb50970.x ⇑

³⁹ CH Murphy, GV Bull, "A review of Project HARP, Ballistics Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 1966; also Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, v.140, Planetology and Space Mission Planning, pp.337–357, Dec 1966. DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1966.tb50970.x ⇑

⁴⁰ CH Murphy, GV Bull, "A review of Project HARP, Ballistics Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 1966; also Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, v.140, Planetology and Space Mission Planning, pp.337–357, Dec 1966. DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1966.tb50970.x ⇑

⁴¹ CH Murphy, GV Bull, "A review of Project HARP, Ballistics Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 1966; also Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, v.140, Planetology and Space Mission Planning, pp.337–357, Dec 1966. DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1966.tb50970.x ⇑

⁴² Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁴³ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

⁴⁴ Jonathan Beard, Balloon in Space Takes the Heat Off Spacecraft", New Scientist, October 1989 ⇑

⁴⁵ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁴⁶ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

⁴⁷ CH Murphy, GV Bull, "A review of Project HARP, Ballistics Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 1966; also Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, v.140, Planetology and Space Mission Planning, pp.337–357, Dec 1966. DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1966.tb50970.x ⇑

⁴⁸ CH Murphy, GV Bull, "A review of Project HARP, Ballistics Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 1966; also Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, v.140, Planetology and Space Mission Planning, pp.337–357, Dec 1966. DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1966.tb50970.x ⇑

⁴⁹ CH Murphy, GV Bull, "A review of Project HARP, Ballistics Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 1966; also Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, v.140, Planetology and Space Mission Planning, pp.337–357, Dec 1966. DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1966.tb50970.x ⇑

⁵⁰ see e.g., "Simple and Small De-orbiting Package for Nano-Satellites Using an Inflatable Balloon", Nakasuka, Shinichi; Senda, Kei; Watanabe, Akihito; Yajima, Takashi; Sahara, Hironori, Transactions of Space Technology Japan, Volume 7, Issue ists26, pp. Tf_31-Tf_36 (2009). DOI 10.2322/tstj.7.Tf_31 ⇑

⁵¹ see e.g., "Simple and Small De-orbiting Package for Nano-Satellites Using an Inflatable Balloon", Nakasuka, Shinichi; Senda, Kei; Watanabe, Akihito; Yajima, Takashi; Sahara, Hironori, Transactions of Space Technology Japan, Volume 7, Issue ists26, pp. Tf_31-Tf_36 (2009). DOI 10.2322/tstj.7.Tf_31 ⇑

⁵² Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁵³ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

⁵⁴ NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

⁵⁵ "NanoSail-D", [[NASA, 2009]] ⇑

⁵⁶ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁵⁷ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

⁵⁸ see e.g., "Simple and Small De-orbiting Package for Nano-Satellites Using an Inflatable Balloon", Nakasuka, Shinichi; Senda, Kei; Watanabe, Akihito; Yajima, Takashi; Sahara, Hironori, Transactions of Space Technology Japan, Volume 7, Issue ists26, pp. Tf_31-Tf_36 (2009). DOI 10.2322/tstj.7.Tf_31 ⇑

⁵⁹ NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

⁶⁰ "NanoSail-D", [[NASA, 2009]] ⇑

⁶¹ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁶² This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

⁶³ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel", Dimitrios Apostolopoulos, Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁶⁴ This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

⁶⁵ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁶⁶ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

⁶⁷ NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

⁶⁸ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁶⁹ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

⁷⁰ NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

⁷¹ "NanoSail-D", [[NASA, 2009]] ⇑

⁷² Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁷³ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

⁷⁴ NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

⁷⁵ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁷⁶ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

⁷⁷ NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

⁷⁸ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁷⁹ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

⁸⁰ NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

⁸¹ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁸² Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

⁸³ NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

⁸⁴ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁸⁵ This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

⁸⁶ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁸⁷ This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

⁸⁸ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁸⁹ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁹⁰ This might require electrolyzing water for hydrogen, posing some combustion risk, but there is commercial technology for such aircraft, e.g., the Plantraco Microblimp ⇑

⁹¹ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁹² "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁹³ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁹⁴ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁹⁵ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁹⁶ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁹⁷ "Experimental Characterization of a Robotic Inflatable Wheel Dimitrios Apostolopoulos", Michael D. Wagner, Chris Leger, and Jack Jones. 8th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space, September, 2005 ⇑

⁹⁸ Video: Inflatable Space Structures, New Scientist, March 7, 2010 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2010/03/07/video-inflatable-space-structures/ ⇑

⁹⁹ Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.ilcdover.com/products/aerospace_defense/spaceinflatabletechnologies.htm ⇑

¹⁰⁰ NASA's First Solar Sail Nano Sail?-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit Inflatable Gossamer Space Structure Technologies http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/11-010.html ⇑

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Bigelow_Aerospace_facilities.jpg/120px-Bigelow_Aerospace_facilities.jpg | Bigelow Aerospace

Inflatable space structures - structures made in space by inflating them.

Long before any projectile launch is available, however, Project Persephone could probably benefit by R&D on inflatables. National space agencies and by some private companies are engaged in R%D for more conventional space applications and styles of launch. Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.¹ ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.²

Inflatable space structures - structures in space that are launched in a folded package and inflated in orbit.

Project Persephone proposes that projectile space launch should help make exovivaria much cheaper to build and maintain. Inflatables should help keep costs down as well. There is no obvious difficulty in lofting inflatables to orbit using projectile space launch; during Project HARP, it was proposed that gun launch be used to orbit inflatable satellites like those of the Echo series. Most structures hardened for very high acceleration launch are necessarily smaller than the housing of the projectile, which might be no wider than a large artillery shell. Inflation is a way to create much larger structures without resorting to complex assembly procedures.

Long before any projectile launch means becomes available (a highly speculative scenario in any reasonable view of existing technology), Project Persephone could probably benefit by R&D on inflatables, which is already being conducted by national space agencies and by some private companies for more conventional space applications and styles of launch. Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.⁶ ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.⁷

Long before any projectile launch (a highly speculative project in any reasonable view of the technology), Project Persephone could probably benefit by R&D on inflatables, which is already being conducted by national space agencies and by some private companies for more conventional space applications and styles of launch. Bigelow Aerospace has been developing human-habitable inflatable modules to help reduce the cost of launching and constructing space stations.¹⁰ ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.¹¹

Bigelow Aerospace has been developing inflatable modules for human habitation.¹⁴ ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.¹⁵

Bigelow Aerospace¹⁸ has been developing inflatable modules for human habitation. ILC Dover LP has been developing inflatable structure technology for trusses, sunshades, booms, solar panels and antennas.¹⁹

Project Persephone proposes that projectile space launch should help make exovivaria much cheaper to build and maintain. There is no obvious difficulty in lofting inflatables to orbit using projectile space launch; during Project HARP, it was proposed that gun launch be used to orbit satellites like those of the Echo series. Most structures hardened for very high acceleration launch are necessarily smaller than the housing of the projectile, which might be no wider than a a large artillery shell. Inflation is a way to create much larger structures for housing an ecosystem, among other structures that would be useful for maintain exovivaria.

There is no obvious difficulty in lofting inflatables to orbit using projectile space launch; during Project HARP, it was proposed that gun launch be used to orbit satellites like those of the Echo series.

Some private companies, most notably Bigelow Aerospace²² have been developing inflatable modules for human habitation. There is no obvious difficulty in lofting inflatables to orbit using projectile space launch; during Project HARP, it was proposed that gun launch be used to orbit satellites like those of the Echo series.

Some private companies, most notably Bigelow Aerospace²⁵ have been developing inflatable modules for human habitation. There is no obvious difficulty in lofting inflatables to orbit using projectile space launch

Some private companies, most notably Bigelow Aerospace²⁷