Genesis II in Orbit
Published on Jul 2, 2007 at 8:53 am.
2 Comments.
Filed under space businesses, space station.
Last week, a Russian Dnepr rocket lifted off carrying an American company’s space station early prototype module. Bigelow Aerospace’s Genesis II seems to be doing quite well. Bigelow has an interesting idea. They are using inflatable modules. The idea is that a collapsed module can be launched on heavy launch vehicles and then inflated in orbit to provide a space station module far larger than could otherwise be economically placed into orbit. This is Bigelow’s second inflatable space spacecraft. I blogged about the first one about a year ago.
Now, you might think that an inflatable spacecraft sounds pretty flimsy. Well, according to Bigelow’s web site, and other sources, this is not the case. Modern materials can make for extremely strong and resilient structures. “Inflatable” does not really mean that it is like a balloon. Rather, it means that it starts small, and then expands due to the atmospheric pressure inside of the structure. These spacecraft are constructed of flexible materials stronger than kevlar. The skin of the craft also is comprised of proprietary impact resistant materials, and is supposed to be self sealing. In fact, these inflatable craft are supposedly able to be more durable than solid metallic structures. Well, durability remains to be seen, but for sure this is an interesting idea.
The Genesis II spacecraft is the same size as Genesis I launched a year ago. However, there are more instruments and cameras on board. The ultimate goal here is to launch larger and more complicated craft until finally a station in launched that can served as a manned destination. Bigelow envisions such a station as an orbiting “hotel” for space tourists willing to pay to stay there. But, they might soon have customers willing to pay to have their own inflatable stations. This is far less expensive to launch than a solid spacecraft. NASA is looking at inflatable modules for lunar and Martian bases. And, with the Space Shuttle fleet about to be retired, this could be an option for extending the ISS, or building another space station if needed. In fact, a larger and less expensive space station might be constructed using this technology.
But, let me stress that for now all this is in the future. Bigelow is still in the development stages. However, so far, everything looks good. Controllers were even able to make contact with Genesis II far earlier than they had expected. The craft has apparently inflated as expected. As with Genesis I, Bigelow has sold space on board Genesis II to the public in a program called “Fly Your Stuff.” This program allows customers to pay to fly small objects or mementos into space. Cameras on board Genesis II permit customers to watch their stuff floating around the craft. This is actually a wonderful idea! These test flights are essential in a development program of this sort. So, why not sell space on the test flights? After all, selling space provides some income that normally wouldn’t be there. Granted, there is no way that the income provided by the “Fly Your Stuff” program can cover the cost of the launch, but it can at least bring in a little money. Far more important, though, is that this program permits the public to become involved in space exploration and exploitation. You are not just a bystander if you have a business card, photo, or keychain floating around in orbit. That would make you a participant. And the cameras allow you to actually see your stuff floating around. How cool is that?
It will be interesting to see how this test flight pans out. I am glad that things seem to be going well so far.
-Astroprof
Photos courtesy of Bigelow Aerospace
Darnell Clayton on July 2, 2007 at 9:38 am: 1
Hey Astroprof,
The “Fly Your Own Stuff” actually (to my knowledge) funded the last Genesis spacecraft, and may have funded this one as well.
The only reason I know this is because Robert Bigelow mentioned that his space company actually made a profit (however small) which is rare in the new space sector.
Either way, this is a great way to get the public involved, and I hope to see more involvement in the future.
Gordon R. Vaughan on July 7, 2007 at 12:33 am: 2
Hi, I don’t know if you got the comments I left on LiveJournal. I found your Astroprof feed there recently and have been reading it from there.
The Bigelow effort is an interesting one that hasn’t gotten much attention. I’d like to find out more about it.
For instance, I was surprised to find out recently that they’ve got a sizable office here in the Houston area.
It’s interesting that on their careers page
http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/multiverse/careers_listing.php
right at the top is a listing for “Astronauts”. Sorry, they’re only looking for folks with experience; no on the job training, I guess!