NASA successfully inflated a new experimental room aboard the International Space Station (ISS) recently, in what could be the first step towards entire inflatable space stations.
This first-ever inflatable room for astronauts was built by Bigelow Aerospace of North Las Vegas, and cost NASA USD $17.8 million. Named the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, or BEAM, the room could be a precursor to moon and Mars habitats, or even orbiting tourist hotels.
Astronaut Jeffrey Williams spent seven hours Saturday opening and closing an air valve a total of 25 times to expand the compartment, with internal air tanks providing the final pressurization to complete the job. In total the air valve was open for just two-and-a-half minutes, but NASA insisted on taking it slow to avoid a sudden pressurization of BEAM that could stress the connecting parts of the space station.
The finished room, which measures 13 ft. by 10.5 ft., will be tested for a week to make sure it’s secure before the astronauts enter.