Inflatable space structures

Inflatable space structures use pressurized air or gas to maintain shape and rigidity.

[1] The airships of the twentieth century are examples of the concept applied in the aviation environment.

Inflatable heatshields, decelerators, and airbags can be used for entry, descent and landing applications.

[4] The airbags used on the Mars Pathfinder mission descent and landing in 1997 are an example of use of an inflatable system for impact attenuation.

The Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) is designed to demonstrate aerobraking and re-entry from 18,000 miles per hour after separation from the launch vehicle adapter structure.