A sneak peak at Bigelow Aerospace's candidate for long term space travel/habitats.

My dear friends, George Knapp and Matthew Adams, of KLAS Channel 8 in Las Vegas, were over at Bigelow Aerospace's HQ (also in Las Vegas) today and got a really nice peek into the BA 330, Bigelow's (pretty brilliant) inflatable spacecraft that can serve a multi-functional role at a fraction of the cost and, based on the last several years of testing in LEO, actually safer than the legacy spacecraft designs of 1960's, '70's, '80's, and 1990's.

Check it out here:

George's on set report:

www.8newsnow.com...

Matt's tour inside:

www.8newsnow.com...

Pretty impressive stuff.

a reply to: Springer

Thanks for posting these great links!

Off to read.

ETA -

Very nice.



Off to watch some video

a reply to: LookingAtMars

Be sure to watch the videos too.

45 Minutes to fully assemble and its an all in one system, very impressive.

Private ventures is where it's at.

Very cool article, thanks Springer.

S+F

a reply to: Arnie123

I agree, very impressive.
My favorite part is Bob Bigelow fronted 100% of the money for R&D and Production, from what I understand no taxpayer money was spent on the creation of these vehicles.

That's impressive as heck to me.

a reply to: Springer

Yes that is a proper link - like a peep over the edge into the outer darkness . Very cool

a reply to: Springer.

My generation (60+) grew up with the first spacecraft up to today and I can say that this Bigelow craft along with SpaceX makes me hope I'm around long enough to this actually being used. I get the loooong testing schedules but let's get this in gear!

Thanks Springer, top shelf post.

a reply to: Springer

You can even see a Storm Trooper standing guard outside the “Olympus” @ the 2:19 mark.

I knew Bigelow was the dark lord!

Jk, pretty damn cool stuff though.

a reply to: Springer

why are all the beams labeled "does not exist" clearly, they do exist.

a reply to: billxam

I am 56 so I completely agree with you. Very exciting times indeed!
I remember (even though I was only 6 years old) the "Small step for man - and a Giant Leap for all Mankind" moment on live TV! :-)

a reply to: funbobby

Because in space they won't be there (they don't need them in zero gravity), watch the video. ;-)

a reply to: Springer

I watched it with the sound off I worry about an inflatable spaceship because science has not yet perfected the inflatable air mattress.

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but what exactly would be preventing this from getting shredded up by space debris?

a reply to: trollz

You've got to check out the video , who wants to get popped full of holes ? That's what the pretection protocols are for

a reply to: Springer

Good Stuff!
S&F.

originally posted by: trollz
Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but what exactly would be preventing this from getting shredded up by space debris?

Inflatable space structures typically use multiple layers of ballistic materials (like Kevlar) between their inner and outer surfaces to protect against punctures from debris and micro-meteorites.

A self-sealing layer may also be incorporated.

I remember decades ago a space news publication published an article about a proposed mini-satellite based emergency com-sat that would have deployed a large inflatable communications antenna. The whole system was to be deployed via the US Space Shuttle’s Get Away Special (G.A.S.) System.

Access to space be blowin’ up!

I'm very impressed and amazed, but this thing resembles something you'd inflate at a kid's birthday party.

a reply to: DVforlife

That's the GENIUS behind its design. watch the videos...

a reply to: Springer


Love it
Another great piece by George Knapp. And Bigelow Aerospace is ahead by 4 years on this project too.

Anybody notice the Security Guard 🙄🙄🙄
😉

a reply to: Springer

Very cool idea for habitats on the moon and further, taxes not being used? I'm completely onboard for this, looks very spacious and ergonomic. Great post!