Space-worthy inflatable structures have been around since the 1960s and are lightweight, compact in transit and easy to assemble on landing.

CNN: To boldly grow where no one has grown before

As much as we wish this was some type of anti-gravity bouncy castle, NASA's current experiments with inflatable structures are intended for slightly less entertaining implementation on the moon, where crews will use them as outposts for research, testing, storage, and living.

ENGADGET: NASA develops inflatable lunar habitat

To justify these solutions, the team's next step is to perform studies comparing inflatable and rigid structures for crew habitats.

ENGADGET: NASA develops inflatable lunar habitat