Bigelow Aerospace

File:Transhab-cutaway.jpg module]]

Bigelow originally licensed the multi-layer, expandable space module technology from NASA in 2000 after Congress canceled the International Space Station (ISS) TransHab project following delays and budget constraints in the late 1990s.{{cite conference|url=https://cammpus.s3.amazonaws.com/resource/file/5351/IAC_Paper_Commercial_Space.pdf|title=Infrastructure Based Exploration – An Affordable Path To Sustainable Space Development|conference=63rd International Astronautical Congress, 1–5 October 2012, Naples, Italy|first1=Bruce|last1=Pittman|first2=Dan|last2=Rasky |first3=Lynn|last3=Harper|page=7|year=2012|access-date=October 14, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/1654|title=National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2000|publisher=Library of Congress|author=106th Congress|date=January 24, 2000|access-date=May 26, 2007}} {{PD-notice}}

Bigelow has three Space Act agreements whereby Bigelow Aerospace is the sole commercializer of several of NASA's key expandable module technologies.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

Bigelow continued to develop the technology for a decade, redesigning the module fabric layers – including adding proprietary extensions of Vectran shield fabric, "a double-strength variant of Kevlar" – and developing a family of uncrewed and crewed expandable spacecraft in a variety of sizes.{{cite news|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18607-nasa-turned-on-by-blowup-space-stations.html|title=NASA turned on by blow-up space stations|publisher=New Scientist|first=Paul|last=Marks|date=March 3, 2010|access-date=March 3, 2010}} Bigelow invested US$75 million in proprietary extensions to the NASA technology by mid-2006,{{cite news|url=http://www.spacefellowship.com/News/?p=1596|title=Bigelow Aerospace; Russian Dnepr rocket to launch a 1/3-scale Genesis model|first=Sigurd|last=de Keyser|publisher=Space Fellowship News|date=June 4, 2006|access-date=March 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810130039/http://spacefellowship.com/News/?p=1596|archive-date=August 10, 2007|url-status=dead}} and US$180 million into the technology by 2010.

By 2010, Robert Bigelow had invested US$180 million in the company, which by 2013 had grown to US$250 million of his personal fortune.{{cite news|last=Higginbotham|first=Adam |title=Robert Bigelow Plans a Real Estate Empire in Space|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-05-02/robert-bigelow-plans-a-real-estate-empire-in-space|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503062237/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-05-02/robert-bigelow-plans-a-real-estate-empire-in-space|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 May 2013|access-date=May 3, 2013|newspaper=Business Week |date=May 2, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/science-technology/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15543675|title=The Americans may still go to the moon before the Chinese |publisher=The Economist|date=February 18, 2010|access-date=March 4, 2010}} Bigelow stated on multiple occasions that he was prepared to fund Bigelow Aerospace with up to about US$500 million through 2015 in order to achieve launch of full-scale hardware.

In early 2010, NASA came full circle to once again investigate "making inflatable space-station modules to make roomier, lighter, cheaper-to-launch spacecraft" by announcing plans in its budget proposal released 22 February 2010. NASA considered connecting a Bigelow expandable craft to the ISS for safety, life support, radiation shielding, thermal control and communications verification testing for the next three years", and in December 2012, signed a US$17.8 million contract with Bigelow to develop the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), then projected to fly in 2015. The module was berthed to the International Space Station on 16 April 2016, and was inflated on 28 May 2016. {{As of|2022|6}} it remains at the station.

Since early on, Bigelow had been intent on "pursuing markets for a variety of users including biotech and pharmaceutical companies and university research, entertainment applications and government military and civil users". The business model includes "'leasing out' small space stations or habitats made of one or more [B330] inflatable modules to different research communities or corporations". Despite these broad plans for space commercialization, the space tourism destination and space hotel monikers were frequently used by many media outlets following the 2006/2007 launches of Genesis I and Genesis II. Robert Bigelow has been explicit that he is aiming to do business in space in a new way, with "low cost and rapid turnaround, contrary to traditional NASA ISS and Space Shuttle operations and bureaucracy".

In October 2010, Bigelow announced that it had agreements with six sovereign nations to utilize on-orbit facilities of the commercial space station: UK Astronomy Technology Centre (United Kingdom), Netherlands Space Office (Netherlands), Defence South Australia (Australia), Singapore Government Technology Development Agency (Singapore), Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation, chairman is a previous director of JAXA (Japan) and Swedish National Space Board (Sweden).{{cite web|last=Simberg|first=Rand |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/news/bigelow-aerospace-ba2100-hotel|title=Bigelow Aerospace Shows Off Bigger, Badder Space Real Estate|publisher=Popular Mechanics|date=October 28, 2010 |access-date=November 2, 2010}} In February 2011, Dubai of the United Arab Emirates became the seventh nation to have signed on.{{cite news|last=Klotz|first=Irene |title=Bigelow Floats Plan For Florida Space Coast|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2011/02/04/02.xml&channel=space|access-date=February 11, 2011|newspaper=Aviation Week |date=February 4, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924085435/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news%2Fasd%2F2011%2F02%2F04%2F02.xml&channel=space|archive-date=September 24, 2011}}{{update after|2016|10|5}}

In 2011, Bigelow employed an in-house team of model makers, coming from the film and architecture industries, to make detailed models of their space habitats and space stations. Scale models were sent to "potential customers, including governments and corporations, as a reminder of the possibilities".{{cite news|last=Knapp|first=George|title=Las Vegas Inventor's Ideas Take Shape|url=http://www.8newsnow.com/story/14916667/i-team|access-date=August 6, 2011|newspaper=8NewsNow|date=June 15, 2011}}

Reportedly due to delays in launch capability to transport humans to low Earth orbit, Bigelow dramatically reduced staff in late September 2011, because crew transportation would not become available until "years after the first B330 could be ready", laying off 40 of their 90 employees.

In late March 2012 Bigelow began increasing staff levels once again.{{cite news|url=http://www.spacenews.com/venture_space/120320-bigelow-aerospace-ends-furloughs.html|title=Bigelow Ends Employee Furloughs, Resumes Limited Hiring|author=Dan Leone|publisher=SpaceNews|date=March 20, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203104544/http://www.spacenews.com/venture_space/120320-bigelow-aerospace-ends-furloughs.html|archive-date=February 3, 2013|url-status=dead}} By April 2013, Bigelow said that they would have B330 modules ready to go to space by the time that commercial passenger spacecraft were available to ferry their customers to the dual–BA330 Alpha space station – expected in 2017 – and that Bigelow was ready to enter into contracts with customers.{{cite news|last=Boyle|first=Alan|title=To the moon? Bigelow Aerospace and NASA look at private exploration|url=http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/19/17829546-to-the-moon-bigelow-aerospace-and-nasa-look-at-private-exploration|access-date=April 19, 2013|work=NBC News|date=April 26, 2013}}{{update after|2016|10|5}}

Further staff reductions occurred at the start of 2016, estimated by industry sources to be between 30 and 50 people of 150 employed at the time of the layoffs. This came after the company advertised more than 100 jobs in 2015 at both its North Las Vegas headquarters and its newly established propulsion department in Huntsville, Alabama.{{cite news|url=http://spacenews.com/layoffs-hit-bigelow-aerospace/|title=Layoffs Hit Bigelow Aerospace|publisher=SpaceNews|first=Jeff|last=Foust|date=January 7, 2016|access-date=January 9, 2016}} As part of its reduction in workforce, the company closed the Huntsville facility.{{cite news|url=http://www.waaytv.com/space_alabama/exclusive-bigelow-aerospace-closes-up-shop-in-huntsville/article_dda55cf2-b62b-11e5-b478-2b931325ed4c.html|title=Bigelow Aerospace closes up shop in Huntsville|series=Space Alabama|publisher=WAAY-TV|first=Josh|last=Barrett|date=January 8, 2016|access-date=January 9, 2016}} {{dead link|date=January 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

In February 2018, the company announced the formation of a new subsidiary, Bigelow Space Operations, to handle operational aspects of marketing and operating space stations in low Earth orbit.{{cite news|url=http://spacenews.com/bigelow-aerospace-establishes-space-operations-company-to-look-at-commercial-space-station-market/|title=Bigelow Aerospace establishes space operations company to look at commercial space station market|publisher=SpaceNews|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=February 20, 2018|access-date=February 21, 2018}}

In March 2020, the company laid off all of its employees, 88 in total.{{cite news |url=https://spacenews.com/bigelow-aerospace-lays-off-entire-workforce/ |title=Bigelow Aerospace lays off entire workforce |publisher=SpaceNews |first=Jeff |last=Foust |date=March 23, 2020 |access-date=December 2, 2023}}

In December 2021, Bigelow transferred ownership of BEAM to NASA's Johnson Space Center.{{Cite web|date=December 10, 2021|title=Engineering Services for the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM)|url=https://sam.gov/opp/220ac7db7bef4b4085636f3cd65dc5c2/view|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-12|website=sam.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212192929/https://sam.gov/opp/220ac7db7bef4b4085636f3cd65dc5c2/view |archive-date=12 December 2021 }}

{{expand section|date=March 2021}}

Bigelow Aerospace is known for its innovative work on inflatable space habitats. Bigelow Aerospace entered into a contract with NASA. The contract was to supply an expandable habitat module for the International Space Station (ISS). This module is known as the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM). The BEAM was successfully launched and attached to the ISS in 2016. In March 2021, Bigelow Aerospace filed a lawsuit against NASA. Bigelow Aerospace claimed that NASA owed the company $1.05 million. The lawsuit alleged that NASA had not paid the full amount stipulated in the contract. The contract was related to work Bigelow Aerospace had completed. The dispute centered around NASA's refusal to pay Bigelow Aerospace for its contributions to the BEAM project. Bigelow Aerospace contended that it had met all the required milestones and deliverables under the contract. However, NASA had not fulfilled its payment obligations. The company argued that NASA's failure to pay the agreed-upon amount had caused significant financial strain. This was especially the case as the company was already facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a broader downturn in the space industry. NASA contested Bigelow Aerospace's claims. The agency said it had already paid the company for the completed work under the contract. Bigelow Aerospace had not met the criteria for additional payments, according to NASA. NASA argued that they had fulfilled the contract terms on their side. The remaining funds were not owed to the company, NASA stated.{{cite web |title=Bigelow Aerospace files $1.05 mil lawsuit against NASA |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/national-news/bigelow-aerospace-files-1-05-mil-lawsuit-against-nasa/ |website=8 News Now |date=26 March 2021 |access-date=26 March 2021}}{{cite web |title=North Las Vegas space tech firm sues NASA for $1.05M |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/north-las-vegas-space-tech-firm-sues-nasa-for-1-05m-2315527/ |website=Las Vegas Review Journal |date=26 March 2021 |publisher=Review Journal |access-date=26 March 2021}}{{Cite web |title=Bigelow Aerospace, LLC v National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), No. 2:2021cv00494 - Document 17 (D. Nev. 2022) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/nevada/nvdce/2:2021cv00494/149225/17/ |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=Justia Law |language=en}}

File:Bigelow Aerospace facilities.jpg.]]

File:Inside Space Station Alpha.jpg Deputy Administrator Lori Garver views the inside of a full-scale mockup of Bigelow Aerospace's Space Station Alpha.]]

Bigelow Aerospace anticipates that its inflatable modules will be more durable than rigid modules.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5173388.stm|title=Inflatable space module puffs up |publisher=BBC|first=Jonathan|last=Fildes|date=July 14, 2006}} This is partially due to the company's use of several layers of Vectran, a material twice as strong as Kevlar, and also because, in theory, flexible walls should be able to sustain micrometeoroid impacts better than rigid walls. In ground-based testing, micrometeoroids capable of puncturing standard ISS module materials penetrated only about halfway through the Bigelow skin. Operations director Mike Gold commented that Bigelow modules also wouldn't suffer from the same local shattering problems likely with metallic modules. This could provide as much as 24 hours to remedy punctures in comparison to the more serious results of standard ISS skin micrometeoroid damage.

Expected uses for Bigelow Aerospace's expandable modules include microgravity research and development and space manufacturing. Other potential uses include variable – gravity research – for gravity gradients above microgravity including Moon (0.16 g) and Mars (0.38 g) gravity research;[http://www.artificial-gravity.com/JANNAF-2005-Sorensen A Tether-Based Variable-Gravity Research Facility Concept]{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Kirk Sorensen, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, JANNAF Journal], 2005, Retrieved December 30, 2010 space tourism – such as modules for orbital hotels; and space transportation – such as components in spaceships for Moon or Mars crewed missions.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}}

{{as of|2015|10}} the Bigelow Aerospace website shows several pricing schemes including US$51.25 million for 60 days on a B330 space station. That price covers everything including transport, training, and consumables. For US$25 million Bigelow Aerospace customers can lease a third of a B330 habitat, roughly 110 cubic meters, for a period of 60 days.{{cite web |url=http://bigelowaerospace.com/about/opportunities-pricing-services|title=Opportunities and Pricing|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|access-date=October 8, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007192151/http://bigelowaerospace.com/about/opportunities-pricing-services/|archive-date=October 7, 2015}}

In 2010, Bigelow proposed conceptual designs for expandable habitats that would be substantially larger than the B330, previously its largest at {{cvt|330|m3}} habitat volume. Contingent on NASA going forward with a super heavy lifter, the proposed concept would include "expandable habitats offering 2,100 cubic meters [74,000 cubic feet] of volume – nearly twice the capacity available on the International Space Station", and another providing {{cvt|3240|m3}}.

In 2010, Bigelow Aerospace began building a large production facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada to produce the space modules. The {{cvt|181000|ft2}} facility will include three production lines for three distinct spacecraft, doubling the amount of floor space at Bigelow, and transitioning the focus from research and development, with an existing workforce of 115, to production. Bigelow expected to hire approximately 1,200 new employees to staff the plant, with production commencing in early 2012.{{cite news|title=I-Team: Bigelow Aerospace Begins Big Expansion|url=http://www.8newsnow.com/story/13967660/i-team-bigelow-aerospace-begins-big-expansion|access-date=February 5, 2011|newspaper=8 News NOW|date=February 4, 2011|quote=Bigelow expects the plant to be open for business by this time next year. It means his lean workforce of 115 would expand by an additional 1,200 new positions – engineers, technicians, and support staff. "The only purpose this addition has is for production. We have three spacecraft, three production lines and the assembly plant you would normally have", [Bigelow] said. ... "Seven countries have already signed on"|archive-date=6 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206150033/http://www.8newsnow.com/story/13967660/i-team-bigelow-aerospace-begins-big-expansion|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Bigelow Aerospace Expansions Underway |url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/prosper.php|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|access-date=February 7, 2011|year=2011|quote=An expansion of the factory will double the amount of floor space as the Bigelow Aerospace company begins the transition from research and development to production. ... Width ~700 ft Area=180,572 sq. ft.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224073131/http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/prosper.php|archive-date=February 24, 2011}}

In 2013, during execution of the contract to build the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module for the International Space Station,{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/beam_feature.html|title=NASA to Test Bigelow Expandable Module on Space Station|date=January 16, 2013|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 13, 2013|archive-date=20 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120153333/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/beam_feature.html|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}} Robert Bigelow indicated that his company manufactures about 50% of product content in-house, while subcontracting out the remainder.{{cite news|last=Robison |first=Jennifer|title=Nevadan at Work: To the moon and beyond for Las Vegas developer|url=http://www.lvrj.com/business/nevadan-at-work-to-the-moon-and-beyond-for-las-vegas-developer-196751561.html|access-date=March 13, 2013|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=March 10, 2013|quote=both a general contractor and in-house fabricator. We make about 50% of everything in our spacecraft in-house. The other 50% we subcontract out. I think there are a lot of opportunities.}}

In March 2013, Bigelow signed an agreement with NASA to act as "the central link between NASA and dozens of private companies that want to play a role in the creation of a new economy – a space economy, including proposals far more complex than mere space tourism: research, manufacturing, medicine and agriculture. The agreement calls for Bigelow to liaise between NASA and the private sector to see how the U.S. government and industry could help each other".{{cite news|last=Knapp|first=George|title=I-Team: NASA, NLV Aerospace Co. to Explore Space Together|url=http://www.8newsnow.com/story/22411490/i-team-nasa-nlv-aerospace-company-sign-agreement|access-date=May 24, 2013|newspaper=8 NewsNow – KLAS-TV|date=May 23, 2013|archive-date=7 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607103705/http://www.8newsnow.com/story/22411490/i-team-nasa-nlv-aerospace-company-sign-agreement|url-status=dead}}

The first deliverable on that contract, a "report which identifies companies that want to be a part of this effort, as well as potential customers", was delivered by Bigelow to NASA in May 2013.

On 12 July 2006, and 28 June 2007, Bigelow launched the Genesis I and II modules, respectively. In mid-2008, Bigelow Aerospace completed the Galaxy module but did not launch it due to rising launch costs and the ability to substantially validate the new Galaxy technologies terrestrially, particularly after the successful two Genesis launches in 2006 and 2007.{{cite news |url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/9169327.html|title=Company sees future in space|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=August 15, 2008|access-date=May 3, 2010}} It was tested on the ground at its North Las Vegas facility instead.

As of 2014, Bigelow had reserved a 2015 launch on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket,{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/missions|title=Launch Manifest|publisher=SpaceX|year=2014|access-date=May 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509232105/http://www.spacex.com/missions|archive-date=May 9, 2020|url-status=dead}} but did not announce the payload. The Falcon 9 would have been capable of launching a Sundancer module, but not a B330 module. Bigelow also talked with Lockheed Martin regarding potential launches on the Atlas V-401 launch vehicle.{{cite press release|title=Bigelow Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Converging on Terms for Launch Services|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|date=February 5, 2008|url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/news|access-date=March 9, 2008}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13290-no-major-hurdles-to-upgrade-atlas-v-rockets-for-people.html|title=No major hurdles to upgrade Atlas V rockets for people|publisher=New Scientist|first=David|last=Shiga|date=February 7, 2008|access-date=March 1, 2010}} No launch took place in 2015, although in April 2016 Bigelow Aerospace remained on SpaceX's list of future launch customers.{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/missions|title=Launch Manifest|work=SpaceX |access-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418204426/http://www.spacex.com/missions|archive-date=April 18, 2016 |author1=Spacex }} On 8 April 2016, the SpaceX CRS-8 mission launched BEAM to the ISS; on 11 April 2016, Bigelow and United Launch Alliance announced that an Atlas V-552 rocket had been booked for a flight in 2020 to deliver a B330 habitat to low-Earth orbit.{{cite press release |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/bigelow-aerospace-and-ula-join-forces.aspx|title=Bigelow Aerospace and United Launch Alliance Join Forces to Foster a New Era of Sustainable Commercialization in Low Earth Orbit |publisher=United Launch Alliance|date=April 11, 2016|access-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219055148/http://www.ulalaunch.com/bigelow-aerospace-and-ula-join-forces.aspx |archive-date=December 19, 2016|url-status=dead}}

Note: Current as of July 2021. Dates of upcoming launches are proposed and are subject to change.

{{Main|Genesis I}}

On 12 July 2006, Genesis I launched on a Dnepr booster from Dombarovsky Cosmodrome in Orenburg Oblast, Russia. The launch was conducted by Bigelow and ISC Kosmotras. Despite ground-side difficulties during launch, the spacecraft performed as expected upon reaching orbit, inflating, deploying solar arrays and starting internal systems.{{cite news|url=http://www.spacefellowship.com/News/?p=1616|title=Launch of Genesis I Pathfinder Ushers in a New Era of Commercial Space Development|publisher=SpaceFellowship.com|date=July 15, 2006|access-date=March 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117061324/http://www.spacefellowship.com/News/?p=1616|archive-date=November 17, 2006|url-status=dead}} The mission is planned to last for five years and include extensive observation of the craft's performance including testing packing/deployment procedures and resistance to radiation and space debris, among other space hazards and conditions. Mike Gold, corporate counsel for Bigelow Aerospace, stated in relation to this mission and the next, "Our motto at Bigelow Aerospace is 'fly early and often'. Regardless of the results of Genesis 1, we will launch a follow-up mission rapidly". {{as of|2020|12}}, the vehicle remains in orbit.{{cite web|title=Genesis Program |url=http://bigelowaerospace.com/pages/genesis/|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|access-date=January 14, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=29252 |title=Genesis 1 – Orbit|publisher=Heavens-Above|last=Peat|first=Chris|date=August 24, 2020|access-date=August 25, 2020}}

{{Main|Genesis II (space habitat)}}

On 28 June 2007, Genesis II launched on another Dnepr (a converted SS-18 ICBM) from Dombarovsky Cosmodrome in Orenburg Oblast, Russia. Launched at 08:02 PDT, Genesis II was inserted into orbit at 08:16 PDT at an inclination of 64.0°.

Although Genesis I and Genesis II are identical in size and similar in appearance there are several notable differences. Firstly, Genesis I contains 13 video cameras whereas Genesis II contains 22. Secondly, Genesis II includes a suite of additional sensors and avionics that are not present in Genesis I.

The orbital life is estimated to be 12 years, with a gradually decaying orbit resulting in re-entry into Earth's atmosphere and burn-up expected. {{as of|2020|12}}, the vehicle remains in orbit.{{cite web|url=http://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=31789|title=Genesis II – Orbit|publisher=Heavens-Above|last=Peat|first=Chris|date=August 24, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2020}}

;Fly your stuff program

Bigelow Aerospace ran a [https://web.archive.org/web/20091005082516/http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/genesis_II/ Fly Your Stuff] program for the Genesis II launch. The cost to launch pictures or small items was around US$300. Bigelow photographed each item with internal cameras as the items floated inside the craft, displaying them on the company website.

The first image of the interior of Genesis II appeared on the company's website on 29 June 2007. Some of the pictures and other items placed aboard Genesis II as part of the Fly Your Stuff program are clearly visible. Another interior image, apparently taken with more of the spacecraft's internal lights activated, was posted on 2 July 2007. Articles from the Fly Your Stuff program are also visible in this image.

Test items, supplied by Bigelow Aerospace employees, were sent into orbit on Genesis I. No new images of items floating inside Genesis I have been released since shortly after the launch and initial activation of the spacecraft due to problems with a computer which controls several of the internal cameras.{{cite news |url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/out_there/genesis_I_vehicle_performance.php|title=Genesis I Vehicle Performance Update|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|first=Jay|last=Ingham|date=February 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208044134/http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/out_there/genesis_I_vehicle_performance.php|archive-date=December 8, 2007}}

{{Main|Galaxy (spacecraft)}}

{{Main|Sundancer}}

The third planned Bigelow launch, Sundancer, was to be equipped with full life-support systems, attitude control, orbital maneuvering systems, and would have been capable of reboost and deorbit burns.{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/news/060921_bigelow_plans.html|title=Private Space Habitat Could Launch by 2010|publisher=Space.com |first=Warren|last=Ferster|date=September 21, 2006|access-date=July 28, 2007}} Like the Genesis pathfinders, Sundancer's outer surface would have been compacted around its central core, with air expanding it to its full size after entering orbit. After expansion, the module would have measured {{cvt|8.7|m}} in length and {{cvt|6.3|m}} in diameter, with {{cvt|180|m3}} of interior volume.{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/aw040907p2.xml|title=Bigelow Reveals Business Plan|publisher=Aviation Week|first=Craig |last=Covault|date=April 8, 2007|access-date=July 28, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012816/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news%2Faw040907p2.xml|archive-date=September 27, 2007}} Unlike previous Bigelow craft, it was planned to have three observation windows. {{As of|2009|09}}, SpaceX had been contracted to provide a Falcon 9 vehicle for launch of a Bigelow payload in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/launch_manifest.php |title=SpaceX Launch Manifest|publisher=SpaceX|year=2009|access-date=September 7, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414160626/http://spacex.com/launch_manifest.php|archive-date=April 14, 2009}}

In July 2011, Bigelow announced that they will cease development on the Sundancer and instead focus their efforts on the B330.{{cite web|url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com |title=Bigelow Aerospace Expediting B330 Development|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|date=July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702040734/http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/|archive-date=July 2, 2011 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Bigelow Expandable Activity Module}}

File:20180706 Bigelow Airlock Johnson Space Center.jpg Space Vehicle Mockup Facility]]

In December 2012, Bigelow began development work on the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) under a US$17.8 million NASA contract.{{cite web|url=http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=43106|title=NASA Contract to Bigelow Aerospace|date=January 11, 2013|publisher=SpaceRef|access-date=January 16, 2013|archive-date=16 February 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216192953/http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=43106|url-status=dead}} After a number of delays, BEAM was transported to ISS arriving on 10 April 2016, inside the unpressurized cargo trunk of a SpaceX Dragon during the SpaceX CRS-8 cargo mission.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/beam_feature.html|title=NASA to Test Bigelow Expandable Module on Space Station|date=January 16, 2013|publisher=NASA|access-date=January 16, 2013|archive-date=20 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120153333/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/beam_feature.html|url-status=dead}} The mission tested the BEAM module's structural integrity, leak rate, radiation dosage and temperature changes over a two-year-long mission. At the end of BEAM's mission, the module was planned to be removed from the ISS and burn up during reentry. In October 2017, it was announced that the module would stay attached to the ISS for at least three more years, with options for two further one-year extensions.{{cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/10/nasa-tries-an-inflatable-room-on-the-space-station-likes-it/|title=NASA tries an inflatable room on the space station, likes it|publisher=Ars Technica|first=Eric|last=Berger|date=October 3, 2017|access-date=October 4, 2017}}

{{Main|B330}}

The B330 is a full-scale production module weighing approximately {{cvt|50000|lb|kg}},{{cite news|title=Moonandback Interview With Robert Bigelow, part 3 – Pluses And Minuses |url=http://moonandback.com/2011/11/30/moonandback-interview-with-robert-bigelow-part-3-pluses-and-minuse/|access-date=December 10, 2011|at=0:51|newspaper=moonandback.com|date=November 30, 2011}}{{cite web|title=B330 diagram|url=https://www.bigelowspaceops.com|publisher=Bigrelow Space Operations (BSO)|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224174308/https://bigelowspaceops.com/|url-status=dead}} with dimensions of approximately {{cvt|45|ft|m}} in length and {{cvt|22|ft|m}} in diameter when expanded.{{cite web|title=BA 330|url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/ba330.php|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|access-date=October 26, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023123821/http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/ba330.php|archive-date=October 23, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/news/bigelow-aerospace-ba2100-hotel|title=Bigelow Aerospace Space Hotels – BA-2100 Space Module Review|author=Rand Simberg|date=October 28, 2010 |publisher=Popular Mechanics}} Previous names for the B330 were the BA 330 and the Nautilus.

Bigelow has partnered with United Launch Alliance with the goal of launching a B330 module to orbit in 2021, potentially as an addition to the International Space Station.{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/32541-private-space-habitat-launching-2020.html|title=Private Space Habitat to Launch in 2020 Under Commercial Spaceflight Deal|publisher=Space.com|last=Wall|first=Mike |date=April 11, 2016|access-date=April 17, 2016}} The two companies have also proposed launching a B330 to low lunar orbit in 2022 to serve as a lunar depot.{{cite press release |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/bigelow-aerospace-and-ula-lunar-depot.aspx|title=Bigelow Aerospace and United Launch Alliance Announce Agreement to Place a B330 Habitat in Low Lunar Orbit|publisher=United Launch Alliance|date=October 17, 2017|access-date=October 18, 2017}} The first B330 launch was originally planned to be launched aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle, but ULA stated in October 2017 that its in-development Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle was the only launch vehicle available with the performance and fairing capacity to carry the module.

{{Main|BA 2100}}

The BA 2100, or Olympus module, is a concept module that would require a heavy-lift launcher and would place in orbit the complete infrastructure of a {{cvt|2100|m3}} habitat, over six times as large as the B330. {{As of|2021|10}}, estimates put the vehicle mass between 90 and 120 metric tonnes, with a diameter of approximately {{cvt|12|m|ft}}. The concept model shows {{cvt|7|m|ft}} docking ports at both ends.{{cite web|url=http://nextbigfuture.com/2010/10/ba-2100-module-and-other-bigelow.html|title=BA-2100 module and other Bigelow Aerospace news|access-date=November 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103193044/http://nextbigfuture.com/2010/10/ba-2100-module-and-other-bigelow.html|archive-date=November 3, 2010|url-status=dead}}

In June 2019, Bigelow Aerospace introduced the "First Base" concept. First Base is a {{cvt|330|m3}} lunar station module that can accommodate four people; it features four airlocks and two warehouses with solar arrays on top.

As a result of delays in launch capability to transport humans to the Bigelow habitats, Bigelow "laid off some 40 of its 90 employees" in late September 2011. Bigelow had expected human launch capability by 2014 or 2015 but "the prospect of domestic crew transportation of any kind is apparently going to occur years after the first B330 could be ready. ... For both business and technical reasons, we cannot deploy a B330 without a means of transporting crew to and from our station, and the adjustment to our employment levels was necessary to reflect this reality".{{cite news |url=https://www.space.com/13208-private-space-station-bigelow-aerospace-layoffs.html|title=Private Space Station Builder Downsizes Dramatically|publisher=Space.com|first1=Brian|last1=Berger|first2=Dan |last2=Leone|date=October 6, 2011|access-date=December 17, 2017}}

{{Main|Bigelow Commercial Space Station}}

The Bigelow Next-Generation Commercial Space Station is a private orbital space complex that was under development by Bigelow. The space station will include both Sundancer and B330 expandable spacecraft modules and a central docking node, propulsion, solar arrays, and attached crew capsules. Initial launch of space station components was planned for 2014, with portions of the station available for leased use as early as 2015.{{cite web|url=http://bigelowaerospace.com/orbital-complex-construction.php|title=Next-Generation Commercial Space Stations: Orbital Complex Construction|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|access-date=July 15, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710092025/http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/orbital-complex-construction.php|archive-date=July 10, 2010}} Bigelow has publicly shown space station design configurations with up to nine B330 modules containing {{cvt|100000|cuft}} of habitable space. Bigelow began to publicly refer to the initial configuration – two Sundancer modules and one B330 module – of the first Bigelow station as "Space Complex Alpha" in October 2010.

A second orbital station, Space Complex Bravo, was scheduled to begin launches in 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/inflatable-spacecraft-space-station-101112.html|title=Balloons in Space: A History|publisher=Space.com|date=November 12, 2010|access-date=November 14, 2010}}

Launches will not commence until there are commercial crew transportation systems operational, which was to be 2017 or later.{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/30277-bigelow-aerospace-private-space-station.html|title=Inflatable Habitats: From the Space Station to the Moon and Mars?|date=18 August 2015|publisher=Space.com}}

Bigelow announced in October 2010 that it has agreements with six sovereign nations to utilize on-orbit facilities of the commercial space station: United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia, Singapore, Japan and Sweden. By February 2011, this number had risen to seven.

An earlier space station, CSS Skywalker (Commercial Space Station Skywalker), was Bigelow's 2005 concept for the first space hotel.{{cite news |url=http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2005-03/five-billion-star-hotel|title=The Five-Billion-Star Hotel|publisher=Popular Science|date=March 1, 2005}} The Skywalker was to be composed of multiple Nautilus habitat modules, which would be expanded and connected upon reaching orbit. An MDPM (Multi-Directional Propulsion Module) would allow the Skywalker to be moved into interplanetary or lunar trajectories.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/craft/cssalker.htm|title=CSS Skywalker|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505082817/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/cssalker.htm|archive-date=May 5, 2009}}

In November 2010, Bigelow indicated that the company would like to construct ten or more space stations and that there is a substantial commercial market to support such growth.{{cite news |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20101114/NEWS02/11140318/1006/NEWS01/Space%20%20Inc|title=Space, Inc. moving closer to launch: Private companies put forth some lofty ideas for space travel ... and they're closer to reality than you might think|newspaper=Florida Today|date=November 14, 2010|access-date=December 5, 2010|quote=We hope to build a number of commercial space stations, not just one or two. We'd like to have 10 or 15 or 20. We think the markets are substantial, so that's exactly what we're trying to accomplish|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225134154/http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20101114/NEWS02/11140318/1006/NEWS01/Space%20%20Inc|archive-date=December 25, 2010}}

Bigelow's business model requires a means of transporting humans to and from low Earth orbit. In 2004, Bigelow established and funded a US$50 million prize, America's Space Prize, to stimulate development of crewed vehicles. The prize expired without a winner in early 2010.

In August 2009, Bigelow Aerospace announced the development of the Orion Lite spacecraft, intended to be a lower cost, and less capable version of the Orion spacecraft under development by NASA. The intention would be for Orion Lite to provide access to low earth orbit using either the Atlas V or Falcon 9 launch systems, and carrying a crew of up to 7.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32418057|title=Company pitches 'lite' spaceship to NASA|work=NBC News|first=Amy|last=Klamper|date=August 14, 2009}}

At the time Bigelow Aerospace's corporate counsel Mike Gold said: "...we would be foolish to depend completely on one capsule provider or any single launch system", ... "Therefore, it is vital from both a practical and business perspective to ensure that SpaceX and Dragon aren't the only options available to us, hence the need for another capsule".{{cite news |url=http://www.hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=14480|title=Bigelow Aerospace proposes "Orion Lite" concept to Augustine panel|author=Clark Lindsey|publisher=Space Transportation News|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615172735/http://www.hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=14480|archive-date=June 15, 2011}}

{{As of|2010}}, Bigelow was pursuing both launch options of Boeing CST-100 / ULA Atlas V and SpaceX Dragon / Falcon 9 as capsules and launchers.{{cite news|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2010/05/06/11.xml&channel=space|title=Bigelow Marketing Inflatable Space Stations|publisher=Aviation Week|date=May 6, 2010|access-date=October 30, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} "Bigelow offers Boeing, SpaceX, and other vehicle developers ... the promise of a sustained, large market for space transportation services". With the initial Space Complex Alpha space station, Bigelow "would need six flights a year; with the launch of a second, larger station, that number would grow to 24, or two a month".

Bigelow entered NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) with the Starliner capsule in collaboration with Boeing. Bigelow worked with Boeing to refine requirements for Starliner, including joint tests in August 2012.{{cite news|url=http://sen.com/feature/bigelow-aerospace-and-the-inflatable-space-stations.html|title=Bigelow's inflatable space stations|newspaper=SEN|last=Thompson|first=Mark|date=August 27, 2012|access-date=September 9, 2012|quote=the recent drop tests of Boeing's CST-100 were carried out with help from another commercial space business, Bigelow Aerospace. Bigelow Aerospace plans to use the CST-100 to ferry customers to and from its planned Bigelow Orbiting Space Complex, an inflatable space station.}} Separately, in May 2012, Bigelow and SpaceX teamed up towards joint marketing to international customers of crew transport to the Bigelow B330 space facility.{{cite news |url=http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/10/11638453-spacex-teams-up-with-bigelow-on-space-station-marketing|title=SpaceX teams up with Bigelow on space station marketing|publisher=MSNBC|last=Boyle |first=Alan|date=May 10, 2012|access-date=May 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512145405/http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/10/11638453-spacex-teams-up-with-bigelow-on-space-station-marketing|archive-date=May 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}

In February 2010, following the announcement of NASA's post-Augustine Commission plans to reorient human-to-orbit plans more in the direction of commercial launch providers, Robert Bigelow said "We as a company have lunar ambitions, ... and we also have Mars ambitions as well".{{cite news |url=http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/02/01/2191461.aspx|title=Private Spaceflight Goes Public|publisher=MSNBC|first=Alan|last=Boyle|date=February 1, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203111019/http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/02/01/2191461.aspx|archive-date=February 3, 2010}} In April 2010, Bigelow suggested positioning a space station at the Lagrange point {{L1}}. He also said his proposed private Moon Base would consist of three B330s.{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/private-moon-bases-bigelow-aerospace-100414.html|title=Private Moon Bases a Hot Idea for Space Pioneer|publisher=Space.com|first=Leonard|last=David|date=April 14, 2010|access-date=April 15, 2010}}

In March 2013, Bigelow signed a contract with NASA to "look at ways for private ventures to contribute to human exploration missions, perhaps including construction of a moon base" and to act as a clearinghouse with other commercial companies to extend commercial activity at conceptual lunar expeditionary bases in ways that are not a mainline part of NASA's current focus for human spaceflight, which is asteroid exploration missions.

The Bigelow report released later in 2013 identified "an uncertain regulatory environment as a major obstacle to commercial activities" on the Moon.

In December 2014, the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) completed a review of the proposed Bigelow lunar habitat, and indicated that "it was willing to use its authority to ensure Bigelow could carry out its [lunar] activities ... without interference from other [U.S.] companies licensed by the FAA" [and that the FAA would] use its launch licensing authority, as best it can, to protect private sector assets on the Moon and to provide a safe environment for companies to conduct peaceful commercial activities without fear of harmful interference from other AST licensees".{{cite news|last1=Foust|first1=Jeff|title=FAA Review a Small Step for Lunar Commercialization Efforts|url=http://spacenews.com/faa-review-a-small-step-for-lunar-commercialization-efforts/|access-date=February 19, 2015|publisher=SpaceNews|date=February 6, 2015}}

Bigelow Aerospace has received several honors for its spaceflight efforts. On 3 October 2006, Bigelow Aerospace received the Innovator Award from the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation.{{cite press release|url=http://www.clarkefoundation.org/news/091206.php|title=2006 Arthur C. Clarke Awards to honor Walter Cronkite and Robert Bigelow|publisher=ClarkeFoundation.org|date=September 12, 2006|access-date=March 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207144209/http://www.clarkefoundation.org/news/091206.php|archive-date=February 7, 2007|url-status=dead}} The award recognizes "initiatives or new inventions that have had recent impact on or hold particular promise for satellite communications and society, and stand as distinguished examples of innovative thinking". Robert Bigelow was presented the award at the Arthur C. Clarke Awards in Washington, D.C. alongside Walter Cronkite, who was honored on the same night with the Arthur C. Clarke Lifetime Achievement Award.

On 26 January 2007, the Space Foundation announced that Bigelow Aerospace would be the recipient of its 2007 Space Achievement Award.{{cite press release |url=http://news.spacefoundation.org/index.cfm?releaseid=5B35E838-FD4B-547F-C6381435F9F1991A|title=Space Foundation honors Bigelow Aerospace with Space Achievement Award|publisher=SpaceFoundation.org |date=January 25, 2007|access-date=March 11, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928211146/http://news.spacefoundation.org/index.cfm?releaseid=5B35E838-FD4B-547F-C6381435F9F1991A |archive-date=September 28, 2007}} Bigelow Aerospace joins a list of previous winners that include the Titan Launch Vehicle team; The Inertial Upper Stage team, the SpaceShipOne team; the Arianespace-CNES Ariane 4 launch team; the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) teams; the NASA/Industry Galileo space probe team; the Hubble Space Telescope team; Sea Launch; and the NASA/Boeing International Space Station team. The award was presented to Robert Bigelow on 9 April 2007 at the 23rd National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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{{Reflist}}

• {{cite news|url=https://www.thespacereview.com/article/187/1|title=Inflatable POOFs|publisher=The Space Review|first=Taylor|last=Dinerman|date=July 19, 2004}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6347-holidays-in-space-are-on-the-horizon/|title=Holidays in space are on the horizon|publisher=New Scientist|first=Michael|last=Belfiore|date=September 4, 2004}}
• {{cite news|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0409/27bigelow/|title=Bigelow's Gamble|publisher=Aviation Week & Space Technology|via=Spaceflight Now|first=Craig|last=Covault|date=September 27, 2004}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2005-03/five-billion-star-hotel/|title=The Five-Billion-Star Hotel|publisher=Popular Science|first=Michael|last=Belfiore|date=March 2, 2005}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.space.com/855-progress-inflatable-private-space-module.html|title=Progress Made on Inflatable Private Space Module|publisher=Space.com|first=Leonard|last=David|date=March 8, 2005}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/13171475|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229034247/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/13171475/|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 December 2013|title=Russians delay test launch for space hotel|work=NBC News|first=James|last=Oberg|date=June 6, 2006}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.space.com/2618-exclusive-bigelow-orbital-module-launched-space.html|title=Exclusive: Bigelow Orbital Module Launched into Space|publisher=Space.com|first=Leonard |last=David |date=July 12, 2006}}
• {{cite web|url=http://technology.jsc.nasa.gov/bigelow_story.cfm|title=Bigelow Aerospace Continues Relationship with NASA-JSC for Space Habitat Technology and Private Sector Space Development|publisher=NASA |first=William|last=Hosler|year=2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831111453/http://technology.jsc.nasa.gov/bigelow_story.cfm|archive-date=August 31, 2006}}

• {{official website|http://bigelowaerospace.com/}}

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