Just curious...are inflatable modules legit ?

[germalto]

i've seen a few parts in ksp that have sections that inflate to produce a large living area for the kerbonaughts but my question is as stated above,

is it real, have there been any such modules launched to space IRL ?

[sal_vager]

I'm pretty sure Bigelow aerospace is working on inflatable habitat modules such as this, not sure if they have launched any yet though.

Edit: Looks like they have launched two prototypes with Russian help.

Edited October 17, 2012 by sal_vager

[germalto]

ha, so they are real not some KSP fantasy. thanks for the quick reply sal

[nhnifong]

I'm pretty sure Bigelow aerospace is working on inflatable habitat modules such as this, not sure if they have launched any yet though.

Edit: Looks like they have launched two prototypes with Russian help.

Wait, they deployed a habitat in space with no people in it and no plans to ever inhabit it?

[Kryten]

...and no idea if it wouldn't spring leaks, or have the heating or cooling break after a few day-night cycles.

Edited October 17, 2012 by Kryten

[germalto]

Wait, they deployed a habitat in space with no people in it and no plans to ever inhabit it?

yeah it looks like it, it's not really that suprising bearing in mind the amount of red tape that surrounds everything these days

[Kryten]

There's also the tiny niggling issue that there's no way to actually get people to it at his point, it's way too small too be a useful habitat, and there's no docking functionality.

[Anachronda]

Wait, they deployed a habitat in space with no people in it and no plans to ever inhabit it?

Prototype space hotel. Launched with some Madagascar hissing cockroaches aboard as experimental passengers. That's right, the first space hotel was infested with cockroaches before anyone even stayed there.