Inflatable habitats are designed to be used both in orbit as well as on the surface of other worlds. For sustained exploration of the Moon and Mars, inflatable habitats are a leading solution to reduce the weight of space structures as well as to enable future long-term missions and planetary habitation. There is a real need to accurately and safely monitor the structural health and integrity of these habitats, since many traditional methods don’t work well with the soft, flexible materials used. Luna’s fiber optic sensors are highly accurate, nearly weightless and minimally invasive, so the sensors can be embedded in materials during the manufacturing process. The accuracy of Luna’s sensors allows for identification and localization of the effects of impact damage, pressure loading, and structural anomalies on the inflatable habitat.
“It is an honor to be a part of NASA’s Moon to Mars project, and to be able to contribute to the future of Mars and lunar exploration,”
The project will begin with a two-month test period, using a scaled inflatable habitat with embedded Luna fiber optic sensors and subjected to a representative environment. During this initial phase, data will be gathered and compared to other external measurements and, along with system integration studies, used to evaluate optimal methods for integrating Luna’s sensors in future inflatable habitat designs.
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Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this release that are not historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include Luna’s expectations regarding sensor accuracy and potential effectiveness in improving habitat safety and reliability. Management cautions the reader that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to a number of both known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance, and/or achievements of Luna may differ materially from the future results, performance, and/or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. These factors include, without limitation, technological challenges, the future of the project and other risks and uncertainties set forth in Luna’s periodic reports and other filings with the
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Investors:
Jane Bomba
Luna Innovations Incorporated
303-829-1211
[email protected]
Sally J. Curley
Luna Innovations Incorporated
614-530-3002
[email protected]