re deployable space dock in article apr aurora alaska edu nsmca aurora alaska edu writes why not build a inflatable space dock henry spencer henry zoo toronto edu wrote if you re doing large scale satellite servicing being able to do it in a pressurized hangar makes considerable sense the question is whether anyone is going to be doing large scale satellite servicing in the near future to the point of justifying development of such a thing that s a mighty fine idea but since you asked why not i ll respond putting aside the application of such a space dock there are other factors to consider than just pressurized volume temperature control is difficult in space and your inflatable hangar will have to incorporate thermal insulation maybe a double walled inflatable micrometeoroid protection and radiation protection are also required don t think this will be a clear plastic bubble it s more likely to look like a big white ball made out of the same kind of multi layer fabric that soft torso space suits are made out of today because almost all manned space vessels skylab mir salyut used their pressurization for increased structural rigidity even though they had have metal skins they still kind of qualify as inflatable the inflation process would have to be carefully controlled the space environment reduces ductility in exposed materials due to temperature extremes monotomic oxygen impingement and radiation effects on materials so your fabric may not retain any flexibility for long this may not matter even after inflation pressure changes in the hangar may cause flexing in the fabric which could lead to holes and tears as ductility decreases these are some of the technical difficulties which the llnl proposal for an inflatable space station dealt with to varying degrees of success ken jenks nasa jsc gm space shuttle program office kjenks gothamcity jsc nasa gov good ideas are common what s uncommon are people who ll work hard enough to bring them about ashleigh brilliant
