Questions tagged [expandable]

Expandable is used for question about this which is compact on launch and later EXPANDED at a later time. This might be antennas, solar panels, or whole modules (such as inflatables). This must not be confused with items that are [expendable] or disposed of after use.

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What was the first true inflatable space habitat : BEAM, Genesis I, Genesis II or none?

I'd wager BEAM (2016) is the first true inflatable space habitat because it was specifically designed for human habitation, and as such attached to the ISS, whereas Genesis I (2006) and Genesis II (...
cdemr's user avatar
  • 21
3 votes
0 answers
103 views

How do ablatively cooled rocket engines compare to regeneratively cooled ones, in terms of mass?

Assuming equivalent thrust and single continuous burn duration, is there a figure that roughly tells the difference in mass between these two engines cooling methods? This question focuses on first ...
jkztd's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
1k views

How did this structure fit into the Shuttle and then expand to 28 meters?

In this answer I read about the Inflatable Antenna Experiment that flew with STS-77. According to this article: Packed into the Spartan, the IAE weighed only 132 pounds; on deployment (inflation), ...
uhoh's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
182 views

Would a low pressure container lower hydrogen leakage in space?

Hydrogen, for rocket fuel, tends to leak even through metal containers. Launchers carry hydrogen cooled to liquid in order to save storage space for aerodynamical reasons, but that is unnecessary in ...
LocalFluff's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
479 views

Can Orion (or Dragon or CST-100) be upgraded to do multiple EVA's (space walks)?

Orion is designed to support only one EVA. There's no airlock so the entire spacecraft would be evacuated of air during the space walk and then repressurized from gas flasks, with a storage enough for ...
LocalFluff's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
347 views

Are Bigelow's habitats inflatable, or expandable with other methods?

Are the space stations and habitation modules of Bigelow Aerospace (Genesis I & II and the planned BEAM and B330) blown up by air like balloons? Or are they unfolded by mechanical or other means? ...
LocalFluff's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
752 views

Why is Bigelow BA330 expandable instead of fitting fairings?

Bigelow Aerospace develops expandable (inflatable/foldable) space stations. Their flagship is their cylindrical BA330 which has the dimensions 13.7 by 6.7 meter when expanded. Current ISS modules seem ...
LocalFluff's user avatar
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