Bigelow module at the ISS!

01/07/13 22:31:00    

By Michael Mealling

Parabolic Arc is reporting on a SpaceNews.com article that Bigelow Aerospace and NASA are working toward an inflatable module attached to the International Space Station. Designated the Bigelow Expanded Activiy Module (BEAM), the fullsized module could be attached as early as 2015.

Credit: NASA

Parabolic Arc's Doug Messier says the deal starts with “$17.8 million for preliminary work on the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM). This would be an inflatable addition that would prove out technologies for future space facilities, including Bigelow’s own commercial space stations.”

The timeline reportedly from NASA is fairly aggressive which means that Bigelow has anticipated the deal and has much of the hardware already built. This jives with Bigelow's rehire that began after SpaceX's flight last year:

Start-up		2011
Small Structural inflatable on ISS		(2013) TBD
Large Inflatable mission module launched and attached to International Space Station		2015
ECLSS closed-loop system delivered post		2015
Mission Duration: end of ISS life		(2020)

Unless I'm missing something the only vehicle capable of deliverying a small structural inflatable to the ISS in 2013 is a Falcon 9. Does that mean that the COTS program can be used for deliverying not just cargo but major structural components?

I'm also sure that, while Bigelow will learn quite a bit from this contract, its also a significant marketing point for those foreign government looking for NASA's endorsement. If successful you could easily see the ISS replaced with a privately built system by its possible end of life in 2020.