In January of 2008 ILC Dover, in partnership with NASA and the NSF Office of Polar Programs, successfully erected our Lunar Habitat structure at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.  Erecting the structure in this particular environment will not only allow for the study of inflatable structures technology in the harsh environment of Antarctica (an analog for the Lunar environment) but it will also demonstrate the capabilities of this variety of habitat structures and systems.  The design of the structure allows for adaptability to many sizes by simply connecting additional sections.

The habitat (and airlock) system consist of a tubular inflatable structure, an insulation blanket, a guy wire package, power and lighting systems with outlets, two quartz resistance heaters, a pressurization system, and a protective floor. The integrated sensors track pressure, temperature, CO2, smoke and power consumption. The system can be packed in a small volume and weighs approximately 1000lbs.  The small, packed volume makes for efficient transport which not only reduces the size of launch vehicles for NASA, but its transportability supports the NSF charter by allowing large structures to be transported to remote sights on small aircraft such as twin-Otters or helicopters.  The habitat can be erected by 4 people in under an hour, and can be packed and redeployed many times.  The habitat can be erected almost anywhere including over uneven terrain, and can sustain 100mph winds.