Patent ID: 8070105

Claim:
An inflatable structure adapted for deployment in exoatmospheric space, comprising, upon deployment: at least two substantially toroidal, inflatable modules, comprising first and second, substantially toroidal, inflatable modules each having a minor diameter; the second module having a major diameter greater than that of the first module; the first module and the second module being positioned to one another in a substantially co-planar relationship, the first module being nested circumferentially alongside the second module; means for operatively connecting the first module and the second module structurally together; a structural pass-through for providing access between the interiors of the first and second modules, the structural pass-through being configured to allow a human occupant to pass conveniently between the interior volume of the first module and the interior volume of the second module; and means for shielding the inflatable structure from at least one environmental hazard.