Inflatable space stations

Could we send compact space stations up into orbit, having them then unfold in space by pumping gas into them? Bigelow Aerospace thinks so, and it’s hard at work on such technology. Bigelow has actually already tried and tested this idea with its Genesis I and II modules in 2006 and 2007 respectively. The company then successfully connected an inflatable habitat to the ISS in 2016. The ultimate step will be to launch a standalone module, called the B330, that can inflate and operate by itself in orbit, forming the world’s first inflatable station to be used for scientific endeavours, but also as a ‘hotel’ of sorts for tourists to visit.