Bigelow Current Updates Thread....

[Huntster]

It isn't just a matter of retooling, they are skipping the launch of the Galaxy module and going straight to Sundancer due to launch cost increases. It is a big step to go from small technology demonstrators to a full-size human-rated module...lots of testing and retesting so everything will be perfect. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[azorean5000]

<p>Dont get too&nbsp;excited, people. we dont even know if this endeavour will ever be profitable. Bigelow is in totally uncharted territory</p><p>Althought i wish bigelow all the luck in the world, dont build too much expectations about his.</p><p>Disapointment could be big.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[slr5150]

<p>Robert Bigelow was a guest on Coast to Coast AM last night and spoke of a new division at BA.</p><p>I've looked for more info on this but the show recap is all I can find for now.</p><p>http://www.coasttocoastam.com/shows/2008/09/28.html#recap</p><p>In a nutshell he is asking the public to submit inventions and ideas that are of an advanced nature, like new propulsion systems.&nbsp;</p><p>I'll post a link to show audio if i can find any. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="2"><font color="#ff0000"><em><strong><br /> </strong></em></font></font> </div>

 

[josdad]

just thinking that with existing technology we could expand on the bigelow idea, make inflatable habs larger, and impart a spin for gravity. i see a lot of uses for these modules, space hotel/casino, adjustable gravity for research and training. the possiblities are limitless.

 

[docm]

Habs for interplanetary spacecraft too.&nbsp; Sundancer seems particularly suitable for use as a 'bridge' with 330's as the habitats. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Boris_Badenov]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>just thinking that with existing technology we could expand on the bigelow idea, make inflatable habs larger, and impart a spin for gravity. i see a lot of uses for these modules, space hotel/casino, adjustable gravity for research and training. the possiblities are limitless. <br />Posted by josdad</DIV><br /><br /><p><font size="2">NASA designed an inflatable Torus with a 75 foot diameter&nbsp;that would have been launched on a Saturn V.</font></p><p><font size="2">&nbsp;<font color="#003399">http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4308/ch9.htm</font></font></p><p><font size="2">Bigelow had a feature called "Ask a Rocket Scientist" for a little while, & I asked how many Nautilus modules would be needed in a ring configuration to spin up & create artificial gravity. I never received a response. I suppose, the absolute minimum needed would be 4. Even with 4 the tunnel connections would need to be close to 45 degrees, & the the diameter would only be around 50 feet. If they were flexible, more could be added in the future. If they weren't, they would all&nbsp;have to be replaced if more modules were added. At any rate, I believe it is possible to use Nautilus modules to build a station that has simulated gravity, it would just need enough modules to enable an appropriate spin rate. Getting that number up is another problem entirely.<br /></font></p><div class="Discussion_UserSignature"><font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2"><p>&nbsp;</p></font></span></font></div> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><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></font></span></font> </div>

 

[Boris_Badenov]

<font size="2">Bigelow hasn't put out a press release since May of last year. I wonder what they've been up to?</font> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><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></font></span></font> </div>

 

[nimbus]

I reckon they're knee deep in bridging the gap they made by skipping in situ testing of one of their modules. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[docm]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Bigelow hasn't put out a press release since May of last year. I wonder what they've been up to? <br />Posted by boris1961</DIV><br />That was when they awarded Aerojet the contract for the Sundancers&nbsp;rendezvous/docking thrusters.&nbsp; Deep into construction and integration no doubt.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><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.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; The current internal volume of the ISS is somewhere around 600 cu/m. <br />Posted by docm</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The latest NASA update shows 358 cu meters of "Habitable volume" which is less than the pressurized volume:</p><p>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/isstodate.html</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[js117]

 This is a post on NasaSpaceFlight.com forum From   SpacemanSpiff 2/06/09 They are still trying to hire enough people to actually come close to producing a Sundancer by 2012 or so...It is 2 yrs now that they have not been able to hire a Senior Life Support System Manager (and that is just the tip of the iceberg on hiring woes)...a pretty essential position for an on-orbit space habitat.

Houston Office Update: finally was completely closed about a month ago. There are currently no operations or employees at the Houston location.

A large company has recently inhabited the old SpaceHab/Astrium location next door. Never saw that many cars in that parking lot before; no sign out front yet as to what company it is that has moved in.

 

[js117]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;This is a post on NasaSpaceFlight.com forum From&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SpacemanSpiff 2/06/09&nbsp;They are still trying to hire enough people to actually come close to producing a Sundancer by 2012 or so...It is 2 yrs now that they have not been able to hire a Senior Life Support System Manager (and that is just the tip of the iceberg on hiring woes)...a pretty essential position for an on-orbit space habitat. Houston Office Update: finally was completely closed about a month ago. There are currently no operations or employees at the Houston location. A large company has recently inhabited the old SpaceHab/Astrium location next door. Never saw that many cars in that parking lot before; no sign out front yet as to what company it is that has moved in. Have they moved.&nbsp;This doesn't look like good news. <br />Posted by js117</DIV></p><p>Bigelow&nbsp; is&nbsp; still open in Las Vegas,NY&nbsp; They answer the phone.<br /></p>

 

[j05h]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Bigelow&nbsp; is&nbsp; still open in Las Vegas,NY&nbsp; They answer the phone. <br /> Posted by js117</DIV></p><p>I thought the Houston office was mostly for technology transfer? The majority of Bigelow's development and biz-dev has occured in Las Vegas. If they were done with JSC it would make sense to close that office. There has been no indication of Bigelow Aerospace giving up their goals.&nbsp; </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[The_Chef]

There's not much new here, but it's at least a current article.

http://www.mounteverest.net/news.php?id=18079

 

[Boris_Badenov]

The BA website has been down on & off for the last couple of weeks. I sure hope everything is okay over there.

 

[docm]

There were some DNS problems. This link works;

http://64.250.232.122/

 

[Boris_Badenov]

There was a brief update last month.
http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/news/
Genesis II Completes 10,000 Orbits!
April 23, 2009 - Nevada Acquisition 5:30 p.m. PDT

Genesis II, the second prototype expandable space habitat launched by Bigelow Aerospace on June 28, 2007, has completed its 10,000th orbit around the Earth. Following the first spacecraft Genesis I, this unmanned vehicle demonstrates the continued development of future space stations technologies.

 

[Boris_Badenov]

Mike Gold scored a change to ITAR. :!:

Freedom to fly
Apr 22nd 2009
From Economist.com

A small company wins an important legal challenge to America’s space-technology export-control regime
http://www.economist.com/science/tm/dis ... d=13525115

 

[Boris_Badenov]

The BA website appears to be down again & has been at least since Sunday. I hope it's temporary & not a signal of a greater problem.

 

[js117]

Bigelow Aerospace web site is backup.

 

[Boris_Badenov]

Bigelow Aerospace web site is backup.

It looks like they added a whole new category of jobs & a new research out fit called Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS)
, a sister company to Bigelow Aerospace, is a newly formed research organization that focuses on the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of novel and emerging future technologies worldwide as they specifically relate to spacecraft. BAASS is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are seeking experienced scientists to join our research teams. If you are an inquisitive outside of the circle thinker, who is detail oriented and who is looking for a challenge, this is a unique and exciting opportunity to advance your career and to be a part of cutting edge research.

 

[Maitri982]

I wish Bigelow would provide more updates as to their progress. They seem to think they need to operate under some cloak of secrecy. I really don't think there are people itching to rip-off Bigelow technology.

How bout a schedule update? Planned launch dates for Sundancer? Progress photos of sundancer would be nice too.

They also made a hoopla about having a novel way to move regolith to cover a habitat on the moon and that they were going to test it and publicize the results...that was over a year ago I think and we have heard nothing...

I think that Bigelow and Musk can change the future of man in space...so I hope they succeed...

 

[MeteorWayne]

Yeah that's true. SpaceX suffers from the same thing. I guess when you live in the world of finances, you don't disclose anything a second earlier than you have to. It's disappointing for those of us who want to hear everything.

 

[Maitri982]

Hi Wayne,

Well, I find SpaceX to be surprisingly forthcoming. they have videos and regular press updates on what they are doing...so I am not sure what else you would want from them. They actually have several competitors who may want to know what they are doing.

Bigelow, on the other hand, has no competitors who are trying to build space stations for the private sector that I know of, so I have no idea what all the secrecy is about...

Cheers,
M

 

[MeteorWayne]

Well, I find that SpaceX gives little warning when events are upcoming. They do cover them well as they occur and in post launch, they just provide little warning ahead of time...probably because of the competative issues you mention. For example, a launch is scheduled less than a week from now (Monday/Tuesday), but the last update on their site is from June 1st concerning the launch.
MW