Bigelow Expandable Activity Module: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:38, 5 February 2019

Revision as of 07:06, 7 March 2019

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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2017}}

{{Infobox space station module

|module = Bigelow Expandable Activity Module

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The first attempt at module inflation took place on May 26, 2016, and was suspended after higher-than-expected air pressure inside BEAM was detected with minimal expansion of the module.<ref name="space20160527"/> The attempt was called off after two hours.<ref name="verge20160527"/> The failure to expand and unfold is thought to have been the result of the unanticipated 10-month delay in module inflation, which may have caused the fabric layers to stick together.<ref name="space20160527" /> The module was expanded on May 28 over the course of seven hours, with air being injected 25 times for a total of 2 minutes 27 seconds.<ref name="nasa20160528"/> Its length was extended {{convert|67|in|cm|order=flip|abbr=on}} from its stowed configuration, {{convert|1|in|cm|order=flip|abbr=on}} less than expected.<ref name="spacepol20160528"/> After expansion was complete, air tanks aboard BEAM were opened to equalize air pressure in the module with that of the ISS.<ref name="spacenews20160528"/> The module will be monitored for two years.<ref name="spacepol20160528" /><ref name="spacenews20160528" />

{{multiple image |direction=vertical |align=right

[[File: |image1=ISS-47 Jeff Williams works inside the BEAM.jpg |thumb|caption1=Jeff Williams inside BEAM]]

[[File: |image2=ISS-53 Paolo Nespoli works inside the BEAM.jpg |thumb|caption2=[[European Space Agency|ESA]] astronaut [[Paolo Nespoli]] inside BEAM, outfitted with new cargo storage bins.]]

}}

On June 6, 2016, astronaut [[Jeffrey Williams (astronaut)|Jeff Williams]] and cosmonaut [[Oleg Skripochka]] opened the hatch to BEAM and entered to collect an air sample, download expansion data from sensors, and install monitoring equipment. The hatch to BEAM was re-sealed on June 8 after three days of tests.<ref name="nasa20160606"/><ref name="nasa20160608"/> A second round of tests took place on September 29 of that same year when astronaut [[Kathleen Rubins]] entered the module to install temporary monitoring equipment.<ref name="nasa20160929"/>

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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 in an effort to free up additional space aboard the station.<ref name="arstech20171003"/> The ISS crew began work in November to prepare BEAM for use as storage space.<ref name="nasa20171121">{{cite web |url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/11/21/beam-work-and-vision-checks-for-crew-today/ |title=BEAM Work and Vision Checks for Crew Today |publisher=NASA |first=Mark |last=Garcia |date=November 21, 2017 |accessdate=January 29, 2018}}</ref>

At the end of BEAM's mission, it will be removed from the ISS and burn up during reentry.<ref name="ns20130116"/>

[[File:ISS-53 Paolo Nespoli works inside the BEAM.jpg|thumb|[[European Space Agency]] astronaut [[Paolo Nespoli]] inside BEAM, outfitted with new cargo storage bins.]]

==Objectives==

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*Demonstrate design performance of commercial inflatable structure like thermal, structural, mechanical durability, long term leak performance, etc.

*Demonstrate safe deployment and operation of an inflatable structure in a flight mission.

At the end of BEAM's mission, the plan was to remove it from the ISS and burn up during reentry.<ref name="ns20130116"/> 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.

==Characteristics==

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<ref name="nature20070705">{{cite news |url=http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070705/full/news070702-13.html |title=Second space 'hotel' model launched |work=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |first=Heidi |last=Ledford |date=July 5, 2007 |accessdate=April 26, 2016 |doi=10.1038/news070702-13}}</ref>

<ref name="ns20100303">{{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 |work=[[New Scientist]] |first=Paul |last=Marks |date=March 3, 2010 |accessdate=March 3, 2010 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6Dm8vkRrc?url=http://wwwarchive.newscientist.comfo/article/dn18607-nasa-turned-on-by-blowup-space-stations.htmlboMNd |archivedate=JanuaryMarch 197, 20132019 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

<ref name="Sang2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/458816main_FTD_InflatableModuleMission.pdf |title=A New Space Enterprise of Exploration: Inflatable Module Mission |format=PDF |publisher=NASA |first1=Tony |last1=Sang |first2=Gary |last2=Spexarth |date=May 26, 2010 |archiveurl=https://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/6Dm8wFX9p?url=httpweb/20190307065420/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/458816main_FTD_InflatableModuleMission.pdf |archivedate=JanuaryMarch 197, 20132019 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

<ref name="hobbyspace-nautilusX">{{cite web |url=http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/?itemid=26786 |title=NASA NAUTILUS-X: multi-mission exploration vehicle includes centrifuge, which would be tested at ISS |work=HobbySpace.com |first=Clark S. |last=Lindsey |date=January 28, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110419194320/http://hobbyspace.com/nucleus/?itemid=26786 |archivedate=April 19, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="sdc20110126">{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/10686-nasa-bigelow-module-international-space-station.html |title=International Space Station Could Get Private Inflatable Room |work=Space.com |first=Leonard |last=David |date=January 26, 2011 |accessdate=January 31, 2011 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6Dm966pUF?url=http://wwwarchive.space.comfo/10686-nasa-bigelow-module-international-space-station.htmlVVng |archivedate=JanuarySeptember 1910, 20132012 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

<ref name="spaceref20130111">{{cite web |url=http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=43106 |title=NASA Contract to Bigelow Aerospace |publisher=NASA ''via'' SpaceRef.com |date=January 11, 2013 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6Dm95s6A5?url=http://spacerefarchive.comfo/news/viewsr.html?pid=43106Dt6Ip |archivedate=JanuaryFebruary 1916, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

<ref name="NASAannouncement">{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/beam_feature.html |title=NASA to Test Bigelow Expandable Module on Space Station |publisher=NASA |date=January 16, 2013 |archiveurl=httpshttp://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/6Dm965xw9?url=web/20130120153333/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/beam_feature.html |archivedate=January 1920, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

<ref name="sn20130612">{{cite news |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/35757sierra-nevada-corp-to-build-iss-berthing-hardware-for-bigelow-module |title=Sierra Nevada Corp. To Build ISS Berthing Hardware for Bigelow Module |work=Space News |first=Dan |last=Leone |date=June 12, 2013}}</ref>

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<ref name="bigelow-beam">{{cite web |url=http://bigelowaerospace.com/beam/ |title=BEAM: The Experimental Platform |publisher=Bigelow Aerospace |accessdate=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="ns20130116">{{cite news |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23083-nasa-buys-blowup-habitat-for-space-station-astronauts.html |title=NASA buys blow-up habitat for space station astronauts |work=[[New Scientist]] |first=Paul |last=Marks |date=January 16, 2013 |archiveurl=httpshttp://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/6Dm8vf3Gj?url=httpweb/20160412235915/https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23083-nasa-buys-blowupblow-up-habitat-for-space-station-astronauts.html/ |archivedate=JanuaryApril 1912, 20132016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

<!--<ref name="spacenews20170119">{{cite news |url=http://spacenews.com/bigelow-aerospace-seeking-additional-use-of-experimental-iss-module/ |title=Bigelow Aerospace seeking additional use of experimental ISS module |work=[[SpaceNews]] |first=Jeff |last=Foust |date=January 19, 2017 |accessdate=January 20, 2017}}</ref>-->

<ref name="FAQ NASA">{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/beam-facts-figures-faqs |title=BEAM Facts, Figures, FAQs |publisher=NASA |first=Erin |last=Mahoney |date=July 17, 2015 |accessdate=April 3, 2016}}</ref>

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<ref name="engadget20160325">{{cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/03/25/nasa-bigelow-expandable-activity-module/ |title=NASA to use the ISS as a testbed for inflatable living modules |work=Engadget |first=Timothy J. |last=Seppala |date=March 25, 2016 |accessdate=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="lvrj20130116">{{cite news |url=http://www.lvrj.com/business/north-las-vegas-based-bigelow-areospace-lands-17-8-million-nasa-contract-187174211.html |title=North Las Vegas-based Bigelow Aerospace lands $17.8 million NASA contract |work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |first=Jennifer |last=Robison |date=January 16, 2013 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6Dn12xs6h?url=http://wwwarchive.lvrj.comfo/business/north-las-vegas-based-bigelow-areospace-lands-17-8-million-nasa-contract-187174211.htmlVX8jl |archivedate=JanuaryFebruary 1916, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

<ref name="wapo20130116">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/international-space-station-to-receive-inflatable-module/2013/01/16/8a102712-5ffc-11e2-9940-6fc488f3fecd_story.html |title=International space station to receive inflatable module |work=[[The Washington Post]] |first=Brian |last=Vastag |date=January 16, 2013 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6DmzsZDMK?url=http://wwwarchive.washingtonpost.comfo/national/health-science/international-space-station-to-receive-inflatable-module/2013/01/16/8a102712-5ffc-11e2-9940-6fc488f3fecd_story.htmlBNZvl |archivedate=JanuaryFebruary 1917, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

<ref name="ap20130117">{{cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/space-station-get-18-million-balloon-room-0 |title=Space station to get $18 million balloon-like room |agency=Associated Press |first=Hannah |last=Dreier |date=January 17, 2013 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6Dn1N9pS0?url=http://bigstoryarchive.ap.org/articlefo/space-station-get-18-million-balloon-room-020iFZ |archivedate=JanuaryApril 1914, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

<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="Lyle2015">{{cite paper |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20160001632.pdf |title=Modeling of Local BEAM Structure for Evaluation of MMOD Impacts to Support Development of a Health Monitoring System |publisher=NASA Langley Research Center |first1=Karen H. |last1=Lyle |first2=Gregory J. |last2=Vassilakos |date=November 2015 |id=NASA/TM-2015-218985}}</ref>

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<ref name="newsci20021115">{{cite news |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3050-lightweight-radiation-proof-fabric-unveiled/ |title=Lightweight radiation-proof fabric unveiled |work=[[New Scientist]] |first=Marina |last=Murphy |date=November 15, 2002 |accessdate=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="tpm20130117">{{cite news |url=http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/01/inflatable-spacecrafts-other-goal-space-walks-for-tourists.php |title=Inflatable Spacecraft's Other Goal: Space Walks For Tourists |work=[[Talking Points Memo]] |first=Carl |last=Franzen |date=January 17, 2013 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6Dmx9gQQe?url=http://idealabarchive.talkingpointsmemo.comfo/2013/01/inflatable-spacecrafts-other-goal-space-walks-for-tourists.php441US |archivedate=JanuaryFebruary 1916, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

}}

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==External links==

{{commons category|Bigelow Expandable Activity Module}}

* [http://bigelowaerospace.com/pages/beam/ BEAM] at BigelowAerospace.com

* [http://www.nasa.gov/beam BEAM] at NASA.gov

* {{YouTube|id=ZNhuIedTTqI|title=''BEAM installation animation''}}

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{{Orbital launches in 2016}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=OctoberMarch 20172019}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}