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Inflatable Spaceship Ready for Test

Posted by michael on from the please-leave-all-sharp-objects-at-home dept.

colonist writes "Nature reports that an inflatable re-entry vehicle could one day carry astronauts or robots to the surface of Earth or Mars. The heat shield (that can withstand 900 C) and the parachute are inflatable. The advantage of inflatable structures is weight: a 130 kg vehicle can carry about 200 kg of cargo back from the space station. The vehicle is made by Return and Rescue Space Systems."

2 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. MOD PARENT DOWN by brainstyle · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    You really don't want to follow those links.

    --
    "Why can't everyone just be straight with me?"
    "Because we live in a bendy world, dear."
  2. Inflatable Parachute by celerityfm · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    WTF? Did I read that right? an inflatable parachute? How does that differ from normal parachutes that fill with air in order to be used? :P

    --
    ...unfortunately no one can be told what The Mat^H^H^HGoatse is...they must experience it for themselves...