Author Topic: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016  (Read 312194 times)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #800 on: 11/21/2017 02:26 pm »
Cross-posting:

Quote
BEAM Prepped for Cargo, CubeSats Deployed and Leg Muscles Scanned

An experimental module attached to the International Space Station is being prepared for upcoming cargo operations. Tiny research satellites were also ejected from the orbital lab while a pair of Expedition 53 crew members scanned their leg muscles today.

BEAM, officially called the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, is being outfitted this week for future stowage operations. Excess gear, including inflation tanks and dynamic sensors, used during its initial expansion back in May of 2016 is being removed to make room for new cargo. BEAM’s old gear and trash will now be stowed in the Cygnus resupply craft for disposal early next month.

[...]

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/11/20/beam-prepped-for-cargo-cubesats-deployed-and-leg-muscles-scanned/

Offline Targeteer

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #801 on: 11/21/2017 03:06 pm »
The crew is doing a requested live video fly through of BEAM to document the final configuration and of course it's not being shown on the streaming ISS feed...
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #802 on: 11/27/2017 07:24 pm »
Quote
BEAM before & after hardware removal to fulfill its new mission of being a mini warehouse for @Space_Station

https://twitter.com/bigelowspace/status/935207357767806977

Offline Rik ISS-fan

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #803 on: 12/03/2017 02:12 pm »
The new look of BEAM



« Last Edit: 12/06/2017 12:19 pm by jacqmans »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #804 on: 12/05/2017 07:06 am »
Quote
Dec 4 2017
NASA Extends Expandable Habitat's Time on the International Space Station

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, known as BEAM, will remain attached to the International Space Station to provide additional performance data on expandable habitat technologies and enable new technology demonstrations. NASA awarded a sole-source contract to Bigelow Aerospace to support extension of the life of the privately-owned module, and its use to stow spare space station hardware.

After NASA and Bigelow successfully completed collaborative analyses on BEAM life extension and stowage feasibility, astronauts began the process to provide additional storage capability aboard the station by removing hardware used for the initial BEAM expansion. They then converted sensors that monitor the BEAM environment from wireless to wired (to prevent interference from future stowage items on transmission of sensor data). Next they installed air ducting, netting, and large empty bags to define the stowage volume for hardware inside BEAM.  NASA and Bigelow later will likely add a power and data interface to BEAM, which will allow additional technology demonstrations to take place for the duration of the partnership agreement.

This new contract, which began in November, will run for a minimum of three years, with two options to extend for one additional year. At the end of the new contract, the agency may consider another extension or could again consider jettisoning BEAM from the station.

The space inside BEAM will hold up to 130 Cargo Transfer Bags of in-orbit stowage. Long-term use of BEAM will enable NASA and Bigelow to gather additional performance data on the module’s structural integrity and thermal stability and resistance to space debris, radiation, and microbial growth, to help NASA advance and learn about expandable space habitat technology in low-Earth orbit for application toward future human exploration missions. Using BEAM for stowage will free up about 1.87 cubic feet (0.53 cubic meters) of space in other station modules for research.

NASA’s use of BEAM as part of a human-rated system allows Bigelow Aerospace to demonstrate its technology for future commercial applications in low-Earth Orbit. Initial studies have shown that soft materials can perform as well as rigid materials for habitation volumes in space and that BEAM has performed as designed in resistance to space debris.

BEAM launched on the eighth SpaceX Commercial Resupply Service mission in 2016. After being attached to the Tranquility Node using the station’s robotic Canadarm2, it was filled with air to expand it for a two-year test period to validate overall performance and capability of expandable habitats. Since the initial expansion, a suite of sensors installed by the crew automatically take measurements and monitor BEAM’s performance to help inform designs for future habitat systems. This extension will deepen NASA’s understanding of expandable space systems by making the BEAM a more operational element of the space station to be actively used in storage and crew operations.

Space station crew members have entered BEAM more than a dozen times since its expansion in May 2016. The crew has conducted radiation shielding experiments, installed passive radiation badges called Radiation Area Monitors, and routinely collect microbial air and surface samples. These badges and samples are returned to Earth for standard microbial and radiation analysis at the Johnson Space Center.

The public-private partnership between NASA and Bigelow supports NASA’s objective to develop deep space habitation capabilities for human missions beyond Earth orbit while fostering commercial capabilities for non-government applications to stimulate the growth of the space economy.

Last Updated: Dec. 4, 2017
Editor: Mark Garcia

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-extends-beam-s-time-on-the-international-space-station

Photo caption:

Quote
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Paolo Nespoli works inside the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, or BEAM, outfitting it for future cargo storage aboard the International Space Station.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #805 on: 12/05/2017 07:19 pm »
Includes some time lapse images of BEAM conversion to storage:


Online catdlr

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #806 on: 12/05/2017 10:39 pm »
NASA Expands BEAM’s Mission


NASA Johnson
Published on Dec 5, 2017

The mission of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) on the International Space Station has been, well, expanded.  After more than a year and a half on orbit providing performance data on expandable habitat technologies, NASA and Bigelow Aerospace have reached agreement to extend the life of the privately-owned module.  For a minimum of three more years, BEAM will be a more operational element of the station used in crew activities and onboard storage, allowing time to gather more data on the technology’s structural integrity, thermal stability, and resistance to space debris, radiation and microbial growth.



Tony De La Rosa, ...I'm no Feline Dealer!! I move mountains.  but I'm better known for "I think it's highly sexual." Japanese to English Translation.

Offline jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #807 on: 08/28/2018 02:49 pm »
Expedition 55/56 crew members inside BEAM

iss056e126552 (Aug. 2, 2018) --- Expedition 55/56 crew members pose for a portrait inside the Bigelow Expandable Aerospace Module (BEAM). BEAM was installed on the International Space Station's Tranquility module on April 16, 2016 after being launched aboard the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft on April 8, 2016.
Jacques :-)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #808 on: 09/21/2018 05:43 pm »
Quote
Today marks the 888th day that #BEAM has been in orbit on the @space_station. BEAM has gone around the World over 14,000 times! Now in its extended mission phase, BEAM will continue its service on ISS and continue to promote a #commercialspacefuture. #space #mannedspaceflight

https://twitter.com/bigelowspace/status/1043173678932885504

Offline Rik ISS-fan

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #809 on: 09/21/2018 11:33 pm »
There is a interesting presentation about BEAM in the ISS R&D 2018 conference presentations.
They found stowage space for 109 CTBE (small cargo bags) inside BEAM. They will use four M3 and four M1 bags for this and the aft bulkhead.
There are also details about the sensors inside BEAM.
I won't share it you can find the presentation: here

Offline PahTo

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #810 on: 09/22/2018 01:06 am »
Quote
Today marks the 888th day that #BEAM has been in orbit on the @space_station. BEAM has gone around the World over 14,000 times! Now in its extended mission phase, BEAM will continue its service on ISS and continue to promote a #commercialspacefuture. #space #mannedspaceflight

https://twitter.com/bigelowspace/status/1043173678932885504

Nice--and dare I say Happy Equinox BEAM?

Offline Rondaz

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #811 on: 09/25/2018 02:07 pm »
ISS Daily Summary Report – 9/24/2018

Bigelow Expandable Aerospace Module (BEAM) Anomalous Depressurization and Stabilization System (ADSS) Brace Preparation: The ISS Program has agreed to extend the operational life of BEAM from its original 2-year life until the end of ISS. To ensure that BEAM can safely maintain its structure in the event of a contingency depressurization scenario, the ADSS struts require additional stiffening to meet the required safety margin. By scavenging tubing from old athletic Knee Braces today, the crew were able to build reinforcing stiffeners in conjunction with items from a Hose Clamp Kit; installation is scheduled during tomorrow’s BEAM ingress activities.

Offline e of pi

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #812 on: 09/25/2018 02:16 pm »
ISS Daily Summary Report – 9/24/2018

Bigelow Expandable Aerospace Module (BEAM) Anomalous Depressurization and Stabilization System (ADSS) Brace Preparation: The ISS Program has agreed to extend the operational life of BEAM from its original 2-year life until the end of ISS. To ensure that BEAM can safely maintain its structure in the event of a contingency depressurization scenario, the ADSS struts require additional stiffening to meet the required safety margin. By scavenging tubing from old athletic Knee Braces today, the crew were able to build reinforcing stiffeners in conjunction with items from a Hose Clamp Kit; installation is scheduled during tomorrow’s BEAM ingress activities.
How Apollo 13! "We need to reinforce the module using only the contents of this box."

Offline Rondaz

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #813 on: 09/25/2018 09:15 pm »
Commander Leads Japanese, Russian Spaceship Preps and BEAM Checks

Mark Garcia September 25, 2018

The commander also joined Flight Engineer Serena Auñón-Chancellor opening up the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) for maintenance and stowage work.The duo reinforced and stiffened struts inside BEAM to increase its safety margin and extend its operational life. They also stowed a variety of hardware inside the station’s newest module.

« Last Edit: 09/25/2018 09:17 pm by Rondaz »

Offline A_M_Swallow

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #814 on: 09/26/2018 01:28 am »
I hope the strengthening information has been incorporated into the design of other Bigelow modules.

Offline Rondaz

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #815 on: 09/26/2018 02:51 pm »
ISS Daily Summary Report – 9/25/2018

Bigelow Expandable Aerospace Module (BEAM) Strut Reinforcement and Cargo Transfer: Earlier today the crew ingressed BEAM and installed diagonal knee braces on each of the four (4) Anomalous Depressurization and Stabilization System (ADSS) struts to reinforce the ADSS in the event of a contingency depressurized scenario for a fully loaded BEAM.  The crew then transferred approved hardware into the BEAM for extended storage  prior to egressing the module.

Offline Space Pete

Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #816 on: 09/27/2018 06:17 pm »
View inside BEAM with reinforced struts - from Bigelow Twitter.
« Last Edit: 09/27/2018 06:18 pm by Space Pete »
NASASpaceflight ISS Editor

Offline Rik ISS-fan

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #817 on: 09/28/2018 09:48 pm »
View inside BEAM with reinforced struts - from Bigelow Twitter.
Jey comfirmation of BEAM Stowage layout. And one additional M1 bag number. Unfortunately I'll have to update the topologies now.  ;)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline Rondaz

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Re: LIVE: BEAM Expansion on ISS - May 26-28, 2016
« Reply #819 on: 01/25/2019 07:06 pm »
BEAM Stowage, Medical Procedures Review and Commercial Crew Update

Mark Garcia Posted on January 23, 2019

The Expedition 58 crew opened up the International Space Station’s “closet” today stowing hardware inside the experimental module. The three orbital residents also reviewed medical emergency procedures and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program announced a crew update Tuesday.

The Bigelow Experimental Activity Module (BEAM) had its stay extended at the orbital lab in November of 2017. BEAM now serves as a cargo hold and continues to undergo tests of its ability to withstand the rigors of microgravity. Crews periodically check BEAM’s sensors to determine its ongoing suitability for spaceflight.

Astronauts Anne McClain and David Saint-Jacques entered BEAM today stowing a variety of station hardware inside the near three-year-old module. The added volume at the station enables more room for advanced space research at the orbital complex.

They later joined Commander Oleg Kononenko in the afternoon and reviewed procedures in the event a crew member experiences a medical emergency in space. Actions a crew can take if necessary include cardiopulmonary resuscitation, surgical procedures aboard the orbital lab or quickly returning an affected astronaut to Earth aboard the Soyuz spacecraft.

The Commercial Crew Program announced a crew change Tuesday afternoon with NASA astronaut Michael Fincke replacing NASA astronaut Eric Boe. Fincke now begins his training as a crew member for Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner Crew Flight Test. Boe will now become assistant chief of the commercial crew office at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/01/23/beam-stowage-medical-procedures-review-and-commercial-crew-update/

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