NASA Completes Commercial Space Station Component Burst Pressure Test

NASA, Blue Origin and Sierra Space have completed a full-scale ultimate burst pressure test for the LIFE habitat structure, a component of the NASA-funded Orbital Reef commercial space station.

The test used Marshall Space Flight Center’s capabilities to determine the capabilities of the habitat, a structure made from high-strength webbings and fabric to form a solid structure once pressurized. Passing the test is a requirement for spacecraft made of soft material to gain flight certification.

The Orbital Reef is among the NASA-funded programs that advance the design and development of commercial space stations, NASA .gov reported.

Angela Hart, manager of NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, said that the successful test is a step toward achieving the goal of having commercial low Earth orbit destinations.

In January, Blue Origin and Sierra Space received additional funding from the U.S. space agency to accelerate the development of the commercial LEO solution. 

Months later, Blue Origin announced the completion of four testing milestones for the program, confirming that Orbital Reef can sustain human life and allow researchers to carry out experiments in space.