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Details On Inflatable Space Modules

Posted by Hemos on from the jetson-world dept.

Decibel writes "Although it's been mentioned on Slashdot twice now, this article contains more details about Robert T. Bigelow's plan to orbit massive inflatable space habitats, with the first test modules to be launched next year. It also details the $50 million "America's Space Prize", with the objective to "spur development of a low-cost commercial manned orbital vehicle capable of launching 5-7 astronauts at a time to Bigelow inflatable modules by the end of the decade.""

18 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. Amazingly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    They're always shaped like giant breasts.

    1. Re:Amazingly by ackthpt · · Score: 2, Funny
      They're always shaped like giant breasts.

      This must be an enormous disappointment to MegaMaid, I'm sure she would have had something else in mind.

      'She's gone from suck to blow'

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  2. Damn... by grub · · Score: 4, Funny


    I'd love to see the "Trojan Condom" logo on that thing. Talk about great product placement.

    --
    Trolling is a art,
    1. Re:Damn... by elementus · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's all good til they have a hole in one of them. Then guess which company's condom's aren't going to be bought as much.

      --
      Bad karma for correcting people I always say.
  3. Fools! by American+AC+in+Paris · · Score: 5, Funny

    Inflatable space modules are all well and good--until The Terrorists(tm) develop a gigantic space pin!

    --

    Obliteracy: Words with explosions

    1. Re:Fools! by Timesprout · · Score: 5, Funny

      US officials believe terrorist WMD programs have already developed a more advanced version of the gigantic space pin, called the gigantic space needle and that it is hidden in a giantic haystack somewhere in Iraq.

      --
      Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
      What truth?
      There is no dupe
    2. Re:Fools! by StalinsNotDead · · Score: 4, Funny

      terrorist WMD programs have already developed a more advanced version of the gigantic space pin, called the gigantic space needle

      Oh No, they already got it into Seattle!! We're all doomed!!

      --
      Thanks to the internet, we can now all die alone together! -SomeWoman
  4. The next logical step by L.+VeGas · · Score: 3, Funny

    Line the floor with multicolored plastic balls, and we have a perfect place to keep our space toddlers.

    --
    Best Windows Freeware
  5. and finally... by Blue-Footed+Boobie · · Score: 3, Funny

    An austronaut gets to yell "Hey NASA, BLOW ME!" and not get nasty looks...

    --
    DAMN YOU OCTODOG! DAMN YOU TO HELL!
  6. There's no way this will work... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Inflatable space-age polymers are nowhere near as durable as they claim.

    Er, so I've heard.

  7. Re:The biggest challenge by gomiam · · Score: 3, Funny
    Ever climb a tree so high that you couldn't figure out how to get down?

    Yup. Still there.

    (Note to self: do not climb to trees looking for better WiFi access)

  8. No terrorists needed by Linux_ho · · Score: 3, Funny

    All it will take is "Someone Like Larry." They will have to put up signs everywhere: "No playing darts in inflatable space habitat" "Soccer cleats will be confiscated" "DO NOT RUN WITH SCISSORS"

    --
    include $sig;
    1;
  9. Just like everything else.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...this new frontier of commercial space flights and doing stuff in near space will just lead to one industry taking a lead and pushing the cutting edge while others sit by watching.

    Let's face it, within 5 years there could be space hookers. All the really rich lonely people will push this endeavor.

    Which just begs the question, who will be the premier space pimp? Who will be the Lando Calrission in the next 5 years?

    1. Re:Just like everything else.... by deathcloset · · Score: 2, Funny

      This begs the next question, when will the first space pr0n be made?

      it's a valid question.

      We're all intrigued by the behaviour of fluids in zero G, DONT ACT LIKE YOU'RE NOT!

  10. Baloonish by john_anderson_ii · · Score: 5, Funny

    I just can't picture one of these space balloons without thinking about one end coming loose, and the whole thing blasting crazily about in space while making a ridiculously load farting noise.

    --
    Be Safe! Sleep with a Marine. Semper Fi!
  11. Re:Physical Concerns? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Think of bubble wrap, instead.

    Especially think of how much fun it is to pop those crunchy little compartments one at a time.

    Now, imagine you're God...

  12. I can see it now... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...right on the side: "warning: this is not a lifesaving flotation device"

  13. Space Hoppers by skinfitz · · Score: 2, Funny

    I just hope the original designer of the Space Hopper is alive to see this.

    I can just picture him now as some crazy old guy who keeps shouting "I told you so! I told you so! See? Nobody believed Old Crazy Jim when he said .." etc.