A photo from open sources
In our view, the international space station is an object made of heavy-duty metal hanging in a space void. There seems to be no other way. Maybe: very soon the ISS modules will be inflatable like existing inflatable mattresses, pools, boats and tents. Bigelow Aerospace Project First Project an inflatable space station appeared in the 60s of the XX century. But technologies of that time could not provide reliable durability hulls and dreams remained dreams. After more than half a century, the company Bigelow Aerospace has returned to this venture and is developing today BEAM inflatable space module project. Benefits of an Inflatable Station doubtless. The cost of a metal module ranges from 1 up to 2 billion dollars (depending on size). In bigelow Aerospace predicts the cost of an inflatable compartment measuring 3x4m not over 18 million dollars. Shipping cost 1 kg and 1 cubic meter of cargo all reasonable limits go beyond space orbit. Mass BEAM – 1360kg, and takes up very little space when packaged. A group of four will be able to deploy a station in space in for several hours. 
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Bigelow Aerospace’s manufacturing technology is kept secret. It’s known that the surface of a module consists of more than 20 layers, the shell is able to tolerate a temperature difference from -120 to +120 degrees Celsius and, according to the developers, will withstand the blow the cosmic body is even large. So a meteorite or space debris pose no mortal danger to the inhabitants of BEAM.
A photo from open sources 
Photos from open sources
NASA specialists, after reviewing the documentation, recognized perfect qualities of the inflatable module, and Bigelow Aerospace started manufacturing two modules for NASA: Sundancer (crew 3 people, living volume 180 m3) and BA-330 (crew 6 people, residential volume 330 cubic meters) Bold Dreams Already on the go you can predict that the successful implementation of the Bigelow Aerospace project promises serious changes in astronautics. States now implementing various space projects will expand their presence in orbit. 
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Space stations will grow in size. BA-330 almost 3 times more than the standard module of the ISS. (There are 14 modules in the ISS, belonging to different countries, the volume of one of them – Russian “Dawn” – 80m.cub.) As technology improves manufacturing, delivery and assembly methods, sizes will grow and Further. The main task of cargo shuttles will be the delivery of segments of residential modules, and scientific equipment. ISS will turn into huge scientific laboratories. The cost of the ISS itself and its maintenance will decline so much that it becomes available to countries, today and not dreaming of developing their space programs. Space Club Powers replenished with new members. 
Photos from open sources
A photo from open sources
The strongest impetus will be given to the development of commercial space exploration, it will become common practice to rent modules as separate States and private companies. It is in this direction intends to develop Bigelow Aerospace. In the near future – Creation of own commercial space station. BA already announces the cost of delivering 1 person into orbit of $ 26.25 million and stay on your space station for 60 days for only 25 million $. According to Bigelow’s bold statements, she will appear at the end of 2015 of the year. The ultimate goal of the founder and sole owner of Bigelow Aerospace Robert Bigelow, creator of the hotel chain for accommodation, sees the creation of the same network in space. In the meantime, models of inflatable modules are being tested on Earth and, according to representatives Bigelow Aerospace and NASA Tested successfully.
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