Bigelow Current Updates Thread....

docm · May 16, 2008

Bigelow Aerospace news page....

Orion Propulsion.....

Bigelow Aerospace Signs Deal with Orion Propulsion

May 15, 2008 - 4:00 p.m. PDT

Las Vegas, NV - In a move to bring an innovative propulsion system to a revolutionary space habitat, Bigelow Aerospace, LLC has contracted Orion Propulsion, Inc. to supply the attitude control system for the forward end of Sundancer - the first commercial space habitat capable of supporting a human crew.

The contract, worth $4,826,000, was awarded in the first quarter of this year and the preliminary design review was completed this week. Multiple rounds of hot-fire testing and full-duration burn tests have already been conducted of the pioneering propulsion system that integrates with Sundancer's life-support system.

"This program contains the right balance between analysis and iterative testing," says Bigelow Aerospace Program Manager Eric Haakonstad. "Our environment is reminiscent of the creative atmosphere of the early space exploration era."

The attitude control system (ACS) designed by Orion uses the hydrogen and oxygen bi-products from Sundancer's environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) to generate the propellants for the thrusters. The forward ACS will be used for both attitude manipulation and momentum wheel de-saturation.

"I am very impressed that Bigelow Aerospace has chosen this innovative propulsion system solution utilizing the waste byproducts of the environmental control system for the world's first commercial manned space destination," says Orion Propulsion founder and CEO Tim Pickens. "Bigelow Aerospace and Orion Propulsion's philosophy mesh well with our common desire to make space access affordable."

Boris_Badenov · May 16, 2008

I had heard this was in the works about a week ago. It looks like more progress on yet another front. There's good news happening all over New Space. I hope it keeps going that way.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div> </div>

Boris_Badenov · May 30, 2008

Docm, can you change the name of this thread to; "Bigelow Current Updates Thread"?   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div> </div>

Boris_Badenov · May 30, 2008

<h2 style="text-transform:uppercase"><h2 style="text-transform:uppercase">Aerojet Supplies Aft Propulsion for Sundancer</h2>May 28, 2008 - 10:00 a.m. PDTLas Vegas, NV - Continuing development of the first commercial space habitat capable of supporting a human crew, Bigelow Aerospace, LLC has reached agreement with aerospace leader Aerojet to supply the propulsion system for the aft end of Sundancer.Under the $23 million deal completed at the beginning of May, Aerojet, a GenCorp Inc. (NYSE: GY) company, will provide the system that will handle rendezvous and docking, as well as the end-of-life controlled deorbit of the module. The aft propulsion will also compliment the forward-end propulsion system provided by Orion Propulsion, Inc. towards attitude control and momentum-wheel desaturation."We're looking forward to working closely with Aerojet on this exciting program," says Bigelow Aerospace Program Manager Eric Haakonstad. "Sundancer is a great opportunity for fast paced private industry to team with a world leader in space propulsion to further Bigelow Aerospace's goal of developing sustainable commercial space stations."The Aerojet system for Sundancer is of a monopropellant hydrazine design and consists of hardware that has been well-proven on numerous missions. A similar system was used on May 25 to help NASA's Phoenix probe become the first spacecraft in more than 30 years to successfully land on Mars using rockets alone.Sundancer, planned for launch early in the next decade, will be the first module built by Bigelow Aerospace capable of manned operation. It would support a crew of up to three for varying mission durations and eventually provide the backbone for the first commercial space station. It follows the successful and continuing missions of the unmanned Genesis I and Genesis II, which continue to test and verify systems for future commercial space habitats.</h2> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div> </div>

docm · May 31, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Docm, can you change the name of this thread to; "Bigelow Current Updates Thread"?   Posted by boris1961</DIV>Your wish is my command <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" />Well, well....Bigelow now has contracted for both the fore and aft thusters.  Sounds like things are moving right along.  Wonder how those booster talks with LockMart are going? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

docm · Jun 5, 2008

This from the Space News report from ISDC:Quote:Bigelow Aerospace, the Las Vegas company working toward deployment of a small commercial space station, is building an additional 18,500 square meters of office and factory space that is due to be finished by 2010 Guess SpaceX isn't the only one expanding their working space.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

acidrain · Jun 21, 2008

I think this company and SpaceX are two companies that have good foundations when it comes to there different directions and i think we will see many good things to come with these two companies. Just remarkable what this company is working on, they have already placed what 2 test habs in space and it is remarkable to see what they are doing and it is so exciting. Iam so looking forward to there next project going up.Question: I was wondering, why couldnt a small hab be attached to the space station? Iam sure this has been answered, please accept my apology ahead.

docm · Jun 21, 2008

It could.A NASA tech known as TransHab was planned to be attached to the ISS but in a massive piece of stupidity it was abandoned when Congress, over the objections of the Administration, forbade NASA from further developiong it (House Resolution 1654, 2000). After it was abandoned Bigelow purchased the rights to the patents from NASA, massively improved on them and launched two prototypes: Genesis I and Genesis II. Sundancer is next (manned). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

danhezee · Jun 21, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It could.A NASA tech known as TransHab was planned to be attached to the ISS but in a massive piece of stupidity it was abandoned when Congress, over the objections of the Administration, forbade NASA from further developiong it (House Resolution 1654, 2000). After it was abandoned Bigelow purchased the rights to the patents from NASA, massively improved on them and launched two prototypes: Genesis I and Genesis II. Sundancer is next (manned). Posted by docm</DIV>Cool so the ISS could hit quite a large growth spurt once BA 330 is available for purchase.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

JonClarke · Jun 22, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It could.A NASA tech known as TransHab was planned to be attached to the ISS but in a massive piece of stupidity it was abandoned when Congress, over the objections of the Administration, forbade NASA from further developiong it (House Resolution 1654, 2000). After it was abandoned Bigelow purchased the rights to the patents from NASA, massively improved on them and launched two prototypes: Genesis I and Genesis II. Sundancer is next (manned). Posted by docm</DIV>It was actually a perfectly justiable decision.  The ISS did not need inflatable modules and an imflatable module did not add anything to the ISS.Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

docm · Jun 22, 2008

"Need" isn't the issue.  Moving technology along is, especially those that could revolutionize how space station and spacecraft habs are built for later missions.  The term "shortsighted" comes to mind.This mindset in electronics would have had fabbers quit with PnP transistors. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

spacy600 · Jun 22, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>"Need" isn't the issue.  Moving technology along is, especially those that could revolutionize how space station and spacecraft habs are built for later missions.  The term "shortsighted" comes to mind.This mindset in electronics would have had fabbers quit with PnP transistors. Posted by docm</DIV>That is Capitalism at it's finist. Now if the timeline holds, we will have a whole new industry in two to four years. Or are "National Governments" the only ones allowed to develop and impirove  revolutionary space tech?

Cygnus_2112 · Jun 22, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>"Need" isn't the issue.  Moving technology along is, especially those that could revolutionize how space station and spacecraft habs are built for later missions.  The term "shortsighted" comes to mind.This mindset in electronics would have had fabbers quit with PnP transistors. Posted by docm</DIV> Typical mindset that automatically denigrates every NASA decision that doesn't go in nuspace's favor.   It was a perfectly good reason.   ISS isn't an R&D test vehicle.  Anyways, it was congress that canceled the tranhab.  NASA already had built the hull of the standard hab module, it was canceled because of "need".

ThereIWas2 · Jun 22, 2008

I don't think Bigelow is interested in adding to ISS.  His technology is so completely different it would be like adding a new modern wing to a 1950's ranch house in a bad neighborhood.  Better to start from scratch the right way.  In a higher orbit to start; ISS is where it is because the shuttle can't get any higher with the sorts of weights required.  But is so low the orbit is decaying all the time. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

acidrain · Jun 22, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It could.A NASA tech known as TransHab was planned to be attached to the ISS but in a massive piece of stupidity it was abandoned when Congress, over the objections of the Administration, forbade NASA from further developiong it (House Resolution 1654, 2000). After it was abandoned Bigelow purchased the rights to the patents from NASA, massively improved on them and launched two prototypes: Genesis I and Genesis II. Sundancer is next (manned). Posted by docm</DIV> Docm,Ah, i wasnt aware that Biglow had picked up the rights to the transhab. Iam glad, they have improved on it 10 fold! As someone said that it might not be a good idea for Bigelow to attach to the space station though it could have good implimentation in doing so and housing more people to do what needs to be done. Though i was also thinking the way that Bigelow is going and the work that they have made i was wondering how large, duration of these inflatable/flatable Habs. Ive been watching the development of this company and i just think it is mind blowing what they have done and they have proved that it can work and then some. Companies like Bigelow make me think that privitzation is the way things should go.

danhezee · Jun 22, 2008

From what i understand, Bigelow has plans to put up his own hotel and he wants to sell the habs to whoever can afford. So if a country with a small space budget wants to add on to the ISS they can buy a prefab from Bigelow

. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

docm · Jun 22, 2008

The "space hotel" thing isn't his primary goal and more was made of it in the media because his primary business is as a hotellier; he owns the Budget Suites chain.  I doubt his current designs would be used on ISS, but he has stated that he's willing to sell/rent/lease modules or stations for private companies or countries. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

acidrain · Jun 24, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The "space hotel" thing isn't his primary goal and more was made of it in the media because his primary business is as a hotellier; he owns the Budget Suites chain.  I doubt his current designs would be used on ISS, but he has stated that he's willing to sell/rent/lease modules or stations for private companies or countries. Posted by docm</DIV>Though iam wondering how large he is willing to go, as well if he is willing to only put up one and add on as the requests and purchase comes available. If that is the case, how large and what is the duration of these modules lifespan?

docm · Jun 24, 2008

Well, as far as duration goes they say the eldest Genesis module is going on 2 years with no discernable deterioration.  In terms of the first stations size; the Sundancer is 175 cu/m and the BA-330's are 330 cu/m each, so their announced first station with two BA-330's and a Sundancer you get 835 cu/m not counting the hub.  The current internal volume of the ISS is somewhere around 600 cu/m. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 24, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Well, as far as duration goes they say the eldest Genesis module is going on 2 years with no discernable deterioration.  In terms of the first stations size; the Sundancer is 175 cu/m and the BA-330's are 330 cu/m each, so their announced first station with two BA-330's and a Sundancer you get 835 cu/m not counting the hub.  The current internal volume of the ISS is somewhere around 600 cu/m. Posted by docm</DIV> I make it a point to watch Genesis 1 and 2 as they pass overhead on many nights. Because they are large for a satellite, but far away, they seldon get much brighter than magnitude +2.5. However, that's easy to see under all but the most light polluted skies on a clear night. I always salute the effort as I watch them, much as I wave at the humans on the ISS as they go overhead.In fact there is a great overhead pass over the northeast US tonight about 11PM. For me (directly overhead) the predicted magnitude is +2.6, About as bright as the average of the stars in Cassiopeia.To find out when you can see Genesis 1 and 2, visit :http://heavens-above.com/Be sure to select your location from the database before looking for satellite passes. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

tampaDreamer · Jun 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Well, as far as duration goes they say the eldest Genesis module is going on 2 years with no discernable deterioration.  In terms of the first stations size; the Sundancer is 175 cu/m and the BA-330's are 330 cu/m each, so their announced first station with two BA-330's and a Sundancer you get 835 cu/m not counting the hub.  The current internal volume of the ISS is somewhere around 600 cu/m. Posted by docm</DIV> I guess the ISS module lifespan is supposed to be somewhere around 10 years?  or is it 20?  Are the bigelow modules expected to approach that? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

tampaDreamer · Jun 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>From what i understand, Bigelow has plans to put up his own hotel and he wants to sell the habs to whoever can afford. So if a country with a small space budget wants to add on to the ISS they can buy a prefab from Bigelow

. Posted by danhezee</DIV> For what i would expect the cost difference to be, the U.S. government should add on a couple of those 330's just for astronaut breathing room. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Boris_Badenov · Aug 25, 2008

There's not much new here, but it is informative.Bigelow Aerospace Advances Work on Full-scale Space HabitatBuilding on lessons they continue to learn from their two space modules still operating in low Earth orbit, the team at Bigelow Aerospace of North Las Vegas, Nev., is accelerating its push to get a habitable version launched.The initial focus of that work is Sundancer, a larger version of the subscale Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 spacecraft now in orbit. Sundancer will have 175 cubic meters of habitable space and come fully equipped with life support systems, attitude control, on-orbit maneuvering systems, the ability to reboost itself and, at the end of its life, the ability to conduct a controlled deorbit. It would support a crew of up to three individuals for varying mission durations and eventually provide the backbone for the first commercial space station."We're trying to offer to folks, for multiple kinds of uses, a reliable environment that can be used for varying types of purposes. So we're kind of the wholesalers of space," Bigelow Aerospace President Robert Bigelow said July 30 in an exclusive interview with Space News."This is a little bit like 'if you build it, they will come,'" Bigelow said. And they are coming. During the course of the next three months, prospective users from the biotech, pharmaceutical and medical research fields are all slated to visit the company's Las Vegas facilities for a look at the progress the company is making on Sundancer, Bigelow said.Drawing on the cash generated by other companies in his large suite of enterprises — such as his hotel and real estate businesses — Bigelow said he had put $150 million into Bigelow Aerospace as of April. In 1999, the entrepreneurial Bigelow said he was prepared to spend $500 million by 2015. That remains a valid number, he said July 30.Bigelow Aerospace announced in May it had inked a nearly $5 million contract with Orion Propulsion Inc. of Huntsville, Ala., to supply the attitude control system for the forward end of Sundancer. Also that same month, the company announced that Aerojet-General Corp. of Sacramento, Calif., had been awarded a $23 million deal to supply the propulsion system for the aft end of Sundancer, as well as a system to handle rendezvous and docking.In addition, Bigelow said the firm's work on life support gear is very encouraging. "The testing already indicates we're definitely on the right track," he said.Sundancer is intended to be a progressive step toward the company's planned BA-330 orbital habitat, which it intends to make its standard for the future. The "330" denotes the cubic meters of that module's internal volume (11653.8 cubic feet). The first Bigelow Aerospace space complex would comprise two Sundancer-class modules, a docking node and propulsion bus combination, as well as a single BA-330, Bigelow said.The company already has expanded its sprawling complex of buildings and test facilities. Work on a new 175,800-square foot (16,335-square meter) structure — building A3 — already is under way and scheduled to be completed by December 2009. Adjacent to the site is a new nearly 4.9-acre (2-hectare) parking lot.Bigelow said the new facilities are needed to set up an assembly line for producing large space modules and associated propulsion buses and docking nodes. "Our ambition and goal for this new building is to be able to handle the fabrication of two full standards per year and one, possibly two, propulsion buses and docking nodes per year," Bigelow said.Follow-on facilityThe erection of building A3, and the lessons learned in its creation, are expected to serve as a template for a follow-on facility, perhaps sited in a location like Florida, New Mexico, Texas or California perhaps, Bigelow said."In some ways we would prefer being close to our launch facilities. But there could be various ways to make it so attractive that locating away from those launch facilities is advantageous to go ahead and pay for shipping everything else," Bigelow said."We're not ready to do this next week. But we know that it's coming," Bigelow continued, suggesting that such a plant might offer 484,000 square feet (45,000 square meters) of work space. "The quantity of spacecraft we can produce is hugely a function of how much room ... we have to work in."Bigelow said he and his team plan to have two Sundancer modules flight-ready by the end of 2011, as well as a docking node and propulsion bus system. By the end of 2012, the firm plans to have its first full BA-300 standard vessel ready for flight as well. "That's regardless of whatever happens transportation-wise," he added, referring to the company's ongoing search for a suitable launcher to get its hardware into orbit.The plan is to have at least six launches in one year. "When we start to rock and roll, we need to really move out," Bigelow explained. The intent of the company is to bundle the purchasing of six launchers, both medium-lifters and a heavy-lifter, to loft all elements of their first commercial space complex, including crew and cargo.Also under way is expansion of a global network of ground stations. Four nodes are now in operation monitoring the Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. With the prospect that human occupation of the first private space complex is possible within five years, perhaps as many as 10 ground stations are being considered, Bigelow said.The Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 modules were placed into orbit July 12, 2006, and June 28, 2007, respectively, via Dnepr boosters from the ISC Kosmotras Yasny Cosmodrome, located in the Orenburg region of Russia. Both spacecraft remain in excellent shape, demonstrating the viability of expandable structures in Earth orbit, Bigelow said.While enthusiastic about his space module work, boosting his space venture into orbit remains a wearisome matter, Bigelow said. What he wants to avoid is devoting money to fighting a two-front war, he said. That is, spending his resources on destination and devoting capital to transportation. "If we don't do that, we're going to be OK."What bothers Bigelow about boosters is, "If we're going to put our clients on boosters, I want to damn well be sure that there's significant amount of seconds on testing of a motor configuration," he said."I applaud the efforts of Lockheed Martin ... and the efforts of [Space Exploration Technologies Corp.]," he added, in terms of U.S. booster capability. "We would like to see a time when there's not a single [launch] supplier in the U.S., much less worldwide.""The crew transportation issue is certainly challenging, and it keeps me up at night more often than my infant son ... and that's saying something," said Mike Gold, director of Bigelow Aerospace's Washington office. However, there is hope, he added."We have been and are in discussions with a number of entities, old and new, large and small, about crew transportation. We're looking at a variety of ideas from traditional to innovative, and while certainly all of our options are still open, some progress has been made," Gold told Space News in an Aug. 1 e-mail. Gold said that, ideally, the success of Genesis 1 and 2, the ongoing construction of Sundancer, coupled with the overall financial and technological commitment Bigelow Aerospace has made to expandable space habitats "will help act as an incentive toward the development of affordable and reliable low Earth orbit crew transportation systems." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div> </div>

aphh · Aug 25, 2008

I propose DreamChaser as the vehicle for transportation to Bigelow station. Clearly there is going to be a market for a orbital space-plane.

ThereIWas2 · Aug 26, 2008

So another 3 years to see the first Sundancer.  I guess they have to do a lot of tooling up front. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

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