X-Hab - ILC Dover

X-Hab Lunar Habitat

ILC Dover conducted inflatable habitat development studies under the a NASA ESRT project as part of the Constellation Program for NASA LaRC. This program targeted the development of lightweight inflatable structures that would enable a mid-structure expandable space habitat to function on the lunar surface. The added volume improved habitability by greatly increasing the habitat volume to number of crew ratio. The compressed volume of the packed structure improved launch mass by reducing fairing size and structural supports, essentially improving the deployed habitat volume per launch mass over conventional rigid structures.

ILC designed, analyzed and constructed a horizontally oriented webbing based inflatable cylindrical structure that connected to rigid endcaps. The endcaps acted as logistics storage for flight. The webbing structure was sized for 9 psid operation (FS=4) and were made from Vectran. The bladder is manufactured from a specialized coated fabric for containment of the inflation gas. The structure uses a Vectran bladder, and an MMOD/Thermal layer was fabricated and delivered. It included windows and a collapsible floor for compact packaging, and will eventually incorporate a thermal/MMOD cover. Deployment and pressure testing is being conducted at NASA LaRC.

CAD model of X-Hab

Structural Evaluation at ILC

NASA Rendition of Lunar Surface Base

Deployment Testing at NASA LaRC