As it turns out, inflatable rooms aren’t only for the enjoyment of children at birthday parties. NASA wants to add an inflatable module to the International Space Station, which would be a durable, cost-effective way to expand the orbiting outpost.
The BA330 module would be one designed and produced by Bigelow Aerospace, who already have two of these prototypes in orbit. The 330 cubic metre, solar-powered module would hold up to six people, and be constructed using non-rigid aluminium which, would also help with radiation shielding and make it damage-resistant against impact from external objects.
If approved, it would take roughly two years for Bigelow to get a working BA330 up into orbit. But for now, be sure to check out more concept images of what this thing might look like over at Dvice. [Bigelow via Space via Dvice]