Inflatable spaceship set for test flight

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An inflatable lifeboat prototype is set for test flights next month, aimed at potentially rescuing stranded astronauts and transporting cargo from the International Space Station. Weighing only 130 kilograms, the vehicle could also facilitate astronaut bailouts or deliver robots to Mars. Concerns have been raised about the high heat generated during atmospheric re-entry, though a heat-resistant coating is proposed as a solution. The success of the inflatable's expansion and descent mechanisms is crucial for its viability. Overall, the performance of this innovative design remains to be seen.
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An inflatable lifeboat could one day ferry stranded astronauts back to Earth, if a prototype's test flights are successful next month.

The re-entry vehicle weighs just 130 kilograms and is being developed to carry cargo back from the International Space Station (ISS). But its inventors believe that it could also let astronauts bail out of the space station, or deliver robots to the surface of Mars. [continued]

http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040830/full/040830-8.html
 
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I like this idea, but I still see some problems. It appears that the initial speed when hitting the atmosphere creates some high heat. They seem to have a solution in the heat resistant coating. If it should fail to expand, or if the second inflatable part should fail to open and slow its descent...oh well.

I would be interested to know how it performs.
 
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