Importance

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Abstract

An inflatable airlock for use with a spacecraft is disclosed. The airlock has a substantially cylindrical shaped layered shell comprised of an outer meteoroid shield layer, a restraint layer under the meteoroid shield, and an air barrier layer under the restraint layer. There is a door arrangement attached to the airlock and the airlock is adapted to being attached to a spacecraft bulkhead that also includes a door. When inflated, a person can open the spacecraft bulkhead door and pass through from the spacecraft into the airlock or vice versa. When the atmosphere is removed from the airlock, a person can pass from the airlock into space or vice versa.

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First Claim