INFLATABLES

The InstaBase concept is that of a complete inflatable base. So, why inflatable habitats instead of rigid cylinders, 3D-printed, or even Starships as habs?

Inflatable habitats have the obvious advantage of being able to pack a large habitat volume into a much smaller payload bay. Indeed, we believe that, if an entire 100-ton Starship payload was dedicated to a single inflatable module, that module would have just over 100 times the volume as the Starship payload bay. So logically, Starships should deliver inflatable habitats which would be removed from the payload bay and set up thereby also freeing up the payload bay for use as storage or additional living area.

ADVANTAGES OF INFLATABLES
Inflatables have clear advantages over other forms of habitats especially 3D-printed habitats. Whereas 3D-printed habitats could take months or even years to construct, the inflatable InstaBase should take less than an hour to inflate. Whereas 3D construction equipment could break down and need repairs, the InstaBase would be "constructed" simply by opening a valve on a container of liquified air.

Also, 3D-printed habitats need a way to bind together dirt into habitat structures. This can be done by using either a binder or by using microwaves to fuse the dirt together. If the binder is shipped, then those shipping costs would be considerable. If the binder was produced locally then that is an additional step that would take time, energy, and could itself break down. If one doesn't use binder but uses microwaves to sinter the dirt together then this represents a huge consumption of power that would be better used for other purposes (e.g. producing propellant).

SAFETY
Some may be concerned about inflatables in that they could potentially rupture and collapse on the crew. But inflatables could be made with the strongest of materials such as Kevlar. Also, ripstops could prevent any tears from spreading very far. If a tear was limited, then there would be plenty of time to simply repair the breach. For radiation shielding, the upward air pressure in inflatables far exceeds the downward weight of shielding in Martian or lunar gravity. There are three inflatables in space right now. The first one was launched 15 years ago and is doing fine despite being in an orbit with debris. Whereas 3D-printed habitats would have to be safety tested in the environment of the destination, inflatable habs could be tested more carefully in the laboratory setting prior to launch.