Are Inflatable Space Habitats A Realistic Future?

Even as modern launch vehicles continue to grow and provide larger payload opportunities, when it comes to big structures and station segments, we are still limited in what can be launched. This is a major reason why for many years now different companies and agencies have been testing and working with inflatable modules. These have a bunch of different applications from use on the Moon to low Earth orbit and beyond. All of which could help astronauts significantly expand the space available for research, manufacturing, living, etc. In this case, they are deflated and integrated on the launch vehicle and once in orbit, inflate to a full-size habitat often bigger than what’s possible with a hard structure. Sierra Space and the LIFE habitat are one great example of this process however it has been tested for decades and is even used on the ISS right now. Here I will go more in-depth into the design behind inflatable space habitats, some of the pros and cons, what companies like Sierra Space ar