On-Orbit UV Cured Hybrid Inflatables (OOUCHI) demonstrates a novel way to achieve a high degree of safety on inflatable structures by using hybrid composite materials cured in- orbit. This will maintain all of the advantages of an inflatable structure, while adding the structural integrity and rigidity of a hard-shelled composite. By using braided fiber preforms (biaxial hybrid sleeves) impregnated with resin designed to cure in Ultraviolet (UV) light on- orbit, it is possible to create a permanently-deployed inflatable with an outer composite shell which possesses much higher strength, rigidity, and damage tolerance than a typical inflatable structure.

The advancement of inflatable space structure technology using UV-curable resins will increase Micro-Meteoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection and rigidity options for inflatable space structures overall, thereby revolutionizing how NASA conducts its space missions.