This footage was filmed and produced 23 January 2024.

In a groundbreaking development, Sierra Space, based in Colorado, has conducted a successful stress test on a full-size inflatable space station structure. The Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) habitat, featuring a pressure shell made of expandable softgoods, surpassed NASA's recommended pressure level, reaching 77 psi before bursting. This achievement positions Sierra Space as a leader in inflatable space station technology, offering significant advantages in on-orbit volume, launch costs, and operational expenses.

The LIFE space station, when packed inside a standard five-meter rocket fairing, has the capability to inflate to the size of a three-story apartment building in orbit. Sierra Space envisions creating expansive living and working environments in space, exceeding the volume of the entire International Space Station (ISS) with just three launches. Plans for larger designs, including a 1400-cubic-meter version, highlight Sierra Space's commitment to driving innovation in space station design.

Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice expressed their vision, stating, "We are driving the reinvention of the space station that will shape a new era of humanity’s exploration and discovery in Low Earth Orbit and beyond." The recent successful stress test was conducted with support from NASA, marking a significant milestone in advancing commercial Low Earth Orbit technology development. This test, carried out at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, showcased Sierra Space's commitment to redefining the future of space exploration.