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Nautilus (space station module)
Encyclopedia
The BA 330 is the complete, full-scale production model of Bigelow Aerospace
's expandable space habitation module program. It will have 330 cubic metres (11,653.8 cu ft) of internal space, hence its numeric designation.
Slated for first launch in 2014 or 2015, the craft will support zero-gravity research including scientific missions and manufacturing processes. Beyond its industrial and scientific purposes, however, it has the potential as a port of call for space tourism
.
Other uses for the craft include missions destined for the Moon
and Mars
and even space yachts.
technology particularly well-suited for its purpose.
The BA 330 provides radiation protection equivalent to, and ballistic protection superior to, the International Space Station
.
The module's large size is particularly beneficial for lunar astronauts or the crews of other long-duration space missions, which until now have been restricted to fairly cramped quarters for the several-day flight.
When expanded the outer shell is as hard to the touch as concrete.
The BA 330 design architecture is built on module-independent provision of needed services:
has evolved the purchased TransHab
technology have not been published, NASA
states the following about the structure of the module that Bigelow adopted as a starting point:
Bigelow has described their technology to news media and have indicated that their proprietary technology inflatable shell, now in validation test in low-earth orbit in two subscale spacecraft, incorporates a layer of Vectran
, along with the Kevlar etc. of the NASA technology.
Bigelow has selected Orbitec as the supplier for environmental control and life support systems
(ECLSS).
, but it could theoretically be with any number of other vehicles.
Once assembled, the combined vehicle would offer the benefits of enhanced operating space for the crew, along with the traditional necessities of the 'hard' spacecraft docked to it, such as atmospheric re-entry.
, Bigelow Aerospace had plans to develop the CSS Skywalker, a space station based upon using BA 330 modules to act as an orbital hotel. Later plans continued to call for construction of a space station, but without the CSS Skywalker moniker, with "more usable volume than the existing International Space Station
". Current plans include a complex of two smaller Sundancer
modules, a combined node and propulsion module and one full-size BA-330. This would give a total volume that is slightly less than that of the ISS, though built from fewer and larger individual modules.
of Budget Suites of America
. Its design is based on the cancelled NASA TransHab
program. Bigelow gained access to Transhab engineers and workers, some of whom later went on to advise Bigelow's project.
In July 2010, Bigelow announced that a BA-330 would be the sixth spacecraft component making up the Bigelow Commercial Space Station
.
Bigelow Aerospace
Bigelow Aerospace is a North Las Vegas, Nevada space technology startup company that is pioneering work on expandable space station modules. Bigelow Aerospace was founded by Robert Bigelow in 1998...
's expandable space habitation module program. It will have 330 cubic metres (11,653.8 cu ft) of internal space, hence its numeric designation.
Slated for first launch in 2014 or 2015, the craft will support zero-gravity research including scientific missions and manufacturing processes. Beyond its industrial and scientific purposes, however, it has the potential as a port of call for space tourism
Space tourism
Space Tourism is space travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. A number of startup companies have sprung up in recent years, hoping to create a space tourism industry...
.
Other uses for the craft include missions destined for the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
and Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
and even space yachts.
Beneficial features
A number of features make this form of expandable space stationSpace station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
technology particularly well-suited for its purpose.
- It offers a large habitable space for crews to live and conduct experiments in. The exterior of the craft is intended to be 45 feet (13.7 m) long by 22 feet (6.7 m) in diameter.
- It can be relatively light for its size, weighting between 45000 pounds (20,411.7 kg) and 50000 pounds (22,679.6 kg), making it easier to place large amounts of volume in orbit.
- Its skin, made of high-strength textiles and VectranVectranVectran is a manufactured fibre, spun from a liquid crystal polymer created by Celanese Acetate LLC and now manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd. Chemically it is an aromatic polyester produced by the polycondensation of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid.- Properties...
-like materials, is wrapped with several layers of high-tension straps. It is particularly resistant to damage from micrometeoroidMicrometeoroidA micrometeoroid is a tiny meteoroid; a small particle of rock in space, usually weighing less than a gram. A micrometeor or micrometeorite is such a particle that enters the Earth's atmosphere or falls to Earth.-Scientific interest:...
s and space debrisSpace debrisSpace debris, also known as orbital debris, space junk, and space waste, is the collection of objects in orbit around Earth that were created by humans but no longer serve any useful purpose. These objects consist of everything from spent rocket stages and defunct satellites to erosion, explosion...
.
The BA 330 provides radiation protection equivalent to, and ballistic protection superior to, the International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
.
The module's large size is particularly beneficial for lunar astronauts or the crews of other long-duration space missions, which until now have been restricted to fairly cramped quarters for the several-day flight.
When expanded the outer shell is as hard to the touch as concrete.
The BA 330 design architecture is built on module-independent provision of needed services:
- Electrical power is provided by solar arraysSolar panels on spacecraftSpacecraft operating in the inner solar system usually rely on the use of photovoltaic solar panels to derive electricity from sunlight. In the outer solar system, where the sunlight is too weak to produce sufficient power, radioisotope thermal generators are used as a power source.-History:The...
and batteries. - Module-specific avionicsAvionicsAvionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
are provided for navigationNavigationNavigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
, re-boostSpacecraft propulsionSpacecraft propulsion is any method used to accelerate spacecraft and artificial satellites. There are many different methods. Each method has drawbacks and advantages, and spacecraft propulsion is an active area of research. However, most spacecraft today are propelled by forcing a gas from the...
, dockingSpace rendezvousA space rendezvous is an orbital maneuver during which two spacecraft, one of which is often a space station, arrive at the same orbit and approach to a very close distance . Rendezvous requires a precise match of the orbital velocities of the two spacecraft, allowing them to remain at a constant...
and other on-orbit maneuvering. - Environmental control and life support system to support up to six persons, including lavatory and hygiene facilities.
- Four large windows coated with a UV protection film will support both terrestrial and celestial viewing.
Technology
While many details about how BigelowBigelow Aerospace
Bigelow Aerospace is a North Las Vegas, Nevada space technology startup company that is pioneering work on expandable space station modules. Bigelow Aerospace was founded by Robert Bigelow in 1998...
has evolved the purchased TransHab
Transhab
TransHab was a concept pursued by NASA to develop the technology for expandable habitats inflated by air in space. Specifically, TransHab was intended as a replacement for the already existing rigid International Space Station crew Habitation Module. When deflated, inflatable modules provide an...
technology have not been published, NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
states the following about the structure of the module that Bigelow adopted as a starting point:
Bigelow has described their technology to news media and have indicated that their proprietary technology inflatable shell, now in validation test in low-earth orbit in two subscale spacecraft, incorporates a layer of Vectran
Vectran
Vectran is a manufactured fibre, spun from a liquid crystal polymer created by Celanese Acetate LLC and now manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd. Chemically it is an aromatic polyester produced by the polycondensation of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid.- Properties...
, along with the Kevlar etc. of the NASA technology.
Bigelow has selected Orbitec as the supplier for environmental control and life support systems
Life support system
In human spaceflight, a life support system is a group of devices that allow a human being to survive in space.US government space agency NASA,and private spaceflight companies...
(ECLSS).
Further enhancements
Bigelow Aerospace is developing the BA 330 module to mate with other spacecraft. In early illustrations, this was shown as being with the Russian Soyuz spacecraftSoyuz spacecraft
Soyuz , Union) is a series of spacecraft initially designed for the Soviet space programme by the Korolyov Design Bureau in the 1960s, and still in service today...
, but it could theoretically be with any number of other vehicles.
Once assembled, the combined vehicle would offer the benefits of enhanced operating space for the crew, along with the traditional necessities of the 'hard' spacecraft docked to it, such as atmospheric re-entry.
, Bigelow Aerospace had plans to develop the CSS Skywalker, a space station based upon using BA 330 modules to act as an orbital hotel. Later plans continued to call for construction of a space station, but without the CSS Skywalker moniker, with "more usable volume than the existing International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
". Current plans include a complex of two smaller Sundancer
Sundancer
Sundancer is the proposed third prototype space habitat to be launched by Bigelow Aerospace and the first human-rated expandable module based on TransHab technology acquired from NASA...
modules, a combined node and propulsion module and one full-size BA-330. This would give a total volume that is slightly less than that of the ISS, though built from fewer and larger individual modules.
History
The BA 330 is the brainchild of Robert BigelowRobert Bigelow
Robert T. Bigelow is a hotel and aerospace entrepreneur. He owns the hotel chain Budget Suites of America and is the founder of Bigelow Aerospace....
of Budget Suites of America
Budget Suites of America
Budget Suites of America is a hotel chain founded in 1987 and owned by Robert Bigelow.It caters to budget travelers needing to stay for an extended period. Its rooms are primarily suites featuring a full kitchen. Budget Suites owns three hotels in Phoenix, Arizona, four in Las Vegas, Nevada, ten in...
. Its design is based on the cancelled NASA TransHab
Transhab
TransHab was a concept pursued by NASA to develop the technology for expandable habitats inflated by air in space. Specifically, TransHab was intended as a replacement for the already existing rigid International Space Station crew Habitation Module. When deflated, inflatable modules provide an...
program. Bigelow gained access to Transhab engineers and workers, some of whom later went on to advise Bigelow's project.
In July 2010, Bigelow announced that a BA-330 would be the sixth spacecraft component making up the Bigelow Commercial Space Station
Bigelow Commercial Space Station
The Bigelow Next-Generation Commercial Space Station is a private orbital space complex currently under development by Bigelow Aerospace. The space station will be constructed of both Sundancer and BA 330 expandable spacecraft modules as well as a central docking node, propulsion, solar arrays,...
.
See also
- Bigelow AerospaceBigelow AerospaceBigelow Aerospace is a North Las Vegas, Nevada space technology startup company that is pioneering work on expandable space station modules. Bigelow Aerospace was founded by Robert Bigelow in 1998...
- TransHabTranshabTransHab was a concept pursued by NASA to develop the technology for expandable habitats inflated by air in space. Specifically, TransHab was intended as a replacement for the already existing rigid International Space Station crew Habitation Module. When deflated, inflatable modules provide an...
- Genesis I
- Genesis IIGenesis IIGenesis II is a 1973 American TV film created and produced by Gene Roddenberry and directed by John Llewellyn Moxey.It opens with the line, "My name is Dylan Hunt...
- Galaxy (spacecraft)
- SundancerSundancerSundancer is the proposed third prototype space habitat to be launched by Bigelow Aerospace and the first human-rated expandable module based on TransHab technology acquired from NASA...
- BA 2100BA 2100BA-2100 or Olympus is a conceptual design for a larger, heavier, and more capable expandable space station module, or interplanetary human transport module, by Bigelow Aerospace...