Developing a Galaxy

[Boris_Badenov]

Developing a Galaxy <br /><br />By Dan Cohen<br />Program Manager<br /> <br />(To see a size comparison between Galaxy, Genesis and the future complex modules planned by Bigelow Aerospace, click here .)<br />Bigelow Aerospace has kicked off development of the Galaxy advanced technology demonstration program, which is intended to be launch-ready in the fall of 2008.<br />Galaxy will bridge the evolutionary development between the Genesis-class vehicles and the vehicle to follow — our first human-inhabitable module, Sundancer. Galaxy’s primary purpose is to provide critical risk reduction, as well as first-flight experience for technologies being developed and intended to be flown on Sundancer and our operational fleet of standard-sized vehicles.<br />While we will leverage proven processes and technology learned in the development and flight of Genesis I and II, a number of technological advances will be implemented on Galaxy. These include:<br />· Advanced onboard avionics: Features increased performance, reconfigurability, decentralized processing, superior redundancy capabilities and “plug and play” features to speed integration and testing while improving reliability.<br />· Key elements of the Environmental Control Life Support System (ECLSS): While Galaxy will not need to support human passengers, it serves as an ideal test-bed to flight-qualify critical elements of our life- and crew-support systems in zero-gravity.<br />· Upgraded attitude determination and control system: Our basic Genesis-class guidance, navigation and control system will be upgraded to provide greater torque-control authority and momentum management with precision attitude sensing.<br />· Increased communications bandwidth: The addition of higher-speed communications bands for uplink and downlink will provide f <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>

 

[docm]

One step at a time they're building a revolution. I could easily see the Sundancer being the control module of an interplanetary spaceship.<br /><br />That said: Genesis II has been put off 'til late may due to a mandatory mod being done on the Dnepr rocket. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[holmec]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>I could easily see the Sundancer being the control module of an interplanetary spaceship.<br /><p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Yeah and every other module of the ship. Except it (Galaxy) doesn't seem to handle a crew. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[christine16]

then its not so gut

 

[Swampcat]

<font color="yellow">"Except it doesn't seem to handle a crew."</font><br /><br />I don't know about it being a control module, but Sundancer is supposed to be able to handle a crew of 3. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>

 

[gunsandrockets]

"...but Sundancer is supposed to be able to handle a crew of 3."<br /><br />For sixth months. Is that right?

 

[Swampcat]

<font color="yellow">"For sixth months. Is that right?"</font><br /><br />That's my understanding, but that was from only one source:<br /><br />Random Thought: Dragon + Sundancer = CEV? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>

 

[holmec]

Nice that the numbers are close. Dragon and Sundancer would be a nice weekend villa with a great orbital view.<br /><br /><br />BTW:<br />Funny the article says that the Orion has no toilet. In a <br />previous post I think Shuttleguy said there would be one. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[jimfromnsf]

WCS is a toilet

 

[holmec]

And I guess the Shuttle Orbiter has one.<br />http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/sts-eclss-wcl.html#sts-eclss-wcs<br /><br />So does that mean the the Orion WCS is similar or the same as the Shuttle's?<br /><br />I hate article writers who don't know what they are talking about. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[jimfromnsf]

It won't be the same as the shuttle's, not enough room.

 

[holmec]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>It won't be the same as the shuttle's, not enough room.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />And what about similar?<br /><br />Have you tried them out for comparison....on what basis do you say your statements? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>