More BEAM From Bigelow

I didn't think it would be too long before news about the 'expandable module' from Bigelow Aerospace started catching more attention. 

Well we know that Bigelow's BEAM or Bigelow Expandable Activity Module was launched aboard SpaceX's Dragon supply vehicle  April 8 and will be attached to the ISS April 16 but will not be expanded until the end of May.  

There is a ream of information on the NASA site.  Please check it out HERE

Bigelow is on the BEAM

It is no surprise that one of the limiting factors in launching a spacecraft is it's
size/weight.

If your like me, you most likely considered Bigelow Aerospace and it's unique inflatable space craft module a concept of the past.

Not so it would appear.  Bigelow Aerospace and NASA will be studying the radiation protection, thermal performance and general operations of expandable habitats in space, with a module called the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) which will be attached and inflated to the ISS.

More information can be garnered from the enclosed video. 

Bigelow Inflatable Oked for ISS

Those of you that have been around for awhile know that I have been talking about Bigelow Aerospace and their experimentation with inflatable space modules.  Bigelow has launched a couple of their modules that have proved extremely successful.  

Now Bigelow Aerospace has petitioned NASA to build and attach a module to the ISS.   The unit(s) are called Bigelow Expandable Activity Modules and their initial use would be a technology demonstration unit.   What makes Bigelow's modules so unique is they are inflatable.  The units are held rigid by internal air pressure.  Bigelow's two previous test units proved uniquely durable, performing as expected in earlier test.  The success of these test are what NASA based its decision on. 

It is not clear yet if the unit would be for on board astronauts to add to their living space or for use by Bigelow as space of tourists.   Bigelow has stated in the past that they are planing  to build a low Earth orbit "hotel" to which they would shuttle tourists to and from.

Commercial space station to launch before 2010

The world's first privately financed space station could be launched before 2010.

Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Bigelow Aerospace has successfully placed two inflatable spacecraft, called Genesis I and Genesis II, in Earth orbit. The company had planned to orbit a third spacecraft called Galaxy in 2008 before lofting its Sundancer space station, able to support a crew of three, into orbit in 2010. But a statement by founder Robert Bigelow that was posted on the company's website says rising launch costs have pushed the company to forego the launch of Galaxy and bring forward Sundancer's launch.

The company had previously said it planned to launch Sundancer in 2010. Although Bigelow has not given a new date for launch, the statement says the schedule change means private space habitats "could be arriving much earlier than any of us had previously anticipated".

The announcement came three days after reports that another company called Galactic Suite intends to put a three-bedroom space hotel in orbit by 2012.

Thanks to Shaun Saunders for the post