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{{Short description|Experimental inflatable module – Installed on ISS}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2021}}
{{Use
{{Infobox space station module
| module = Bigelow Expandable Activity Module
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| module_image = 20180706 Bigelow Airlock Johnson Space Center.jpg
| module_image_caption = Full-scale mock-up of BEAM at Johnson Space Center
| mission_type = ISS module
| operator = [[NASA]]
| manufacturier = [[Bigelow Aerospace]]
| COSPAR_ID = {{COSPAR|2016-024A
| mission_duration = {{time interval|
| launch =
| launch_vehicle = [[Falcon 9 Full Thrust]]<br />([[SpaceX CRS-8]])▼
▲| launch = 8 April 2016, 20:43:31 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref name="JonathanLL">{{cite web|url=https://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Launch Log|publisher=Jonathan's Space Report|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>
▲| launch_vehicle = [[Falcon 9 Full Thrust]]<br/>([[SpaceX CRS-8]])
| launch_site = [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCAFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40|SLC-40]]
| launch_contractor = [[SpaceX]]
| berthed =
▲| berthed = 16 April 2016, 09:36 UTC <ref name="ISS tweet 20160416"/><br/>''[[Tranquility (ISS module)|Tranquility]]'' aft
▲| undocked =
| reentry =
|
▲| length = {{cvt|4.01|m}} <ref name="verge20160405"/>
| diameter = {{cvt|3.23|m}}
| volume = {{cvt|16.0|m3}}
}}
The '''Bigelow Expandable Activity Module
== History ==
NASA originally considered the idea of inflatable habitats in the 1960s, and developed the [[TransHab]] inflatable module concept in the late 1990s. The TransHab project was canceled by Congress in 2000,<ref name="nasa2000" /><ref name="
NASA re-initiated analysis of expandable module technology for a variety of potential missions beginning in early 2010.<ref name="
[[File:Bigelow Expandable Activity Module at Bigelow’s facility in Las Vegas.jpg|thumb
On
In 2013, it was planned that at the end of BEAM's mission, it would be removed from the ISS and burn up during reentry.<ref name="
During a press event on
In December 2021, Bigelow transferred ownership of BEAM to NASA's Johnson Space Center.<ref>{{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
== Deployment and status ==
[[File:BEAM module expansion series.jpg|thumb
In early 2015, BEAM was scheduled for deployment on the next available ISS transport vehicle, [[SpaceX CRS-8]], which was scheduled for launch in September 2015. Due to a rocket failure during the SpaceX CRS-7 launch in June 2015, the delivery of BEAM was delayed.<ref name="
The first attempt at module inflation took place on
{{multiple image |direction=vertical |align=right
|image1=ISS-47 Jeff Williams works inside the BEAM.jpg|caption1=Jeff Williams inside BEAM during early tests
|image2=ISS-53 Paolo Nespoli works inside the BEAM.jpg|caption2=[[European Space Agency|ESA]] astronaut [[Paolo Nespoli]] inside BEAM, outfitted with
}}
On
NASA noted in May 2017 that, after spending one year in space, the BEAM instrumentation had recorded "a few probable micrometeoroid debris impacts" but that the module's protective layers had resisted penetration. Early results from monitors inside the module have shown that [[galactic cosmic radiation]] levels are comparable to those in the rest of the space station. Further testing will try to characterize whether the inflatable structure is any more resilient to radiation than traditional metal modules.<ref name="
In October 2017, it was announced that the module would stay attached to the ISS until 2020, with options for two further one-year extensions. The module will be used to store up to 130 cargo transfer bags to make available space aboard the station.<ref name="
In July 2019, an engineering assessment certified BEAM's ability to remain attached to the station until 2028, as it has exceeded performance expectations and become a core cargo storage module on the volume-constrained station. A contract extension will be required to allow BEAM to serve its extended operational lifetime.<ref name="
With the suspension of all activities at Bigelow Aerospace, development on BEAM has ended. Engineering support passed to Bigelow subcontractor [[ATA Engineering]] in 2022, who will not continue development.<ref name="TMRO-20220126">
== Objectives ==
The BEAM is an experimental program in an effort to test and validate expandable habitat technology.<ref name="characteristics" /> If BEAM performs favorably, it could lead to development of expandable habitation structures for future crews traveling in deep space.<ref name="nasa-beammain" /> The two-year demonstration period will:<ref name="characteristics" /><ref name="bigelow-beam" />
* Demonstrate launch and deployment of a commercial inflatable module. Implement folding and packaging techniques for inflatable shell. Implement a venting system for inflatable shell during ascent to ISS.
* Determine [[Radiation protection#Spacecraft and radiation protection|radiation protection]] capability of inflatable structures.
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== Characteristics ==
[[File:ISS-47 BEAM installation (1).jpg|thumb
BEAM is composed of two metal bulkheads, an [[
BEAM's internal dimensions provide {{cvt|16.0|m3}} of volume where a crew member will enter the module three to four times per year to collect sensor data, perform microbial surface sampling, conduct periodic change-out of the radiation area monitors, and inspect the general condition of the module.<ref name="
=== Radiation shielding ===
The flexible Kevlar-like materials of construction are proprietary.<ref name="US 7204460 B2" /><ref name="
In a 2002 NASA study, it was suggested that materials that have high hydrogen contents, such as [[polyethylene]], can reduce primary and secondary radiation to a greater extent than metals, such as aluminium.<ref name="nasa-radiation" /> Vinyl polymer may also be used in laboratories and other applications for radiation shield garments.<ref name="
== Gallery ==
<gallery class="center" perrow="5">
</gallery>
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{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="ISS tweet 20160416">{{
<ref name="nasa-overview">{{
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<ref name="launchlog">{{
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<ref name="characteristics">{{
<ref name="nasa-beammain">{{
<ref name="bigelow-beam">{{
<ref name="
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<ref name="US 7204460 B2">{{cite patent|url=http://www.google.com/patents/US7204460|title=Orbital debris shield|inventor=Bigelow, Robert T.|country=US|number=US 7204460 B2|status=patent|pubdate=2007-04-17 |gdate=2007-04-17|fdate=2004-06-24|pridate=2004-06-24}}.</ref>
<ref name="
<ref name="nasa-radiation">{{cite web|url=http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/spacenews/factsheets/pdfs/radiation.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041030191015/http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/spacenews/factsheets/pdfs/radiation.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2004-10-30|title=Understanding Space Radiation|series=NASA Facts|publisher=NASA Johnson|date=October 2002 |access-date=April 3, 2016|id=FS-2002-10-080-JSC}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>▼
▲<ref name="nasa-radiation">{{
<ref name="Murphy 2002">{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Marina |date=November 15, 2002 |title=Lightweight radiation-proof fabric unveiled |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3050-lightweight-radiation-proof-fabric-unveiled/ |access-date=April 26, 2016 |publisher=New Scientist}}</ref>
}}
== External links ==
{{
* [http://bigelowaerospace.com/pages/beam/ BEAM] at BigelowAerospace.com
* [http://www.nasa.gov/beam BEAM] at NASA.gov
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