Quote from: Moe Grills on 01/27/2015 05:08 pmYou know what? it's both humorous and sad to think that the next pressurized ISS addition/module won't come from a space power like Russia, but from a private corporation. Almost all of the US segment was build by Boeing, Kibo was built by Mitsubishi, the latest Russian modules by RKK Energiya, Columbus by EADS Astrium, and the PMM By Thales Alenia. This is nothing remotely new.
You know what? it's both humorous and sad to think that the next pressurized ISS addition/module won't come from a space power like Russia, but from a private corporation.
You know what? it's both humorous and sad to think that the next pressurized ISS addition/module won't come from a space power like Russia, but from a private corporation.Bigelow Aerospace has achieved respectability in commercial spaceflight. It is no longer pie-in-the sky like so many private firms that have got nowhere with ambitious space plans.
All funded directly or indirectly by TAXPAYERS (you TOO) in the nations they came from. Bigelow's BEAM would be an exception.
Assuming it looks like this?
I still want to see a modified BEAM with telescopic stiffening rods in the centre and a IDS port at one end to see if it is practical as a launch-with-Dragon orbital module. It wouldn't be that simple; I'm not even sure that the final product would be light enough to dual launch with Dragon but I think it would be a worthwhile idea to at least seriously investigate. Why? We don't know when BA-330 will be in a flyable condition but BEAM very nearly is in flyable condition and it might get both Bigelow and SpaceX a revenue stream from flying some of Space Adventures short-duration LEO ticket holders.Last century, rich people paid for the thrill ride in one of the barely-flyable early aircraft for a few minutes. I can see them being willing to do so again for a few days in LEO. A few hundred thousands of dollars to have some of the R&D boys look at the figures and play with CAD but potentially millions in passenger revenue at the other side if it turns out to be workable. To quote a certain fictional entrepreneur: "I punched those numbers into my pocket calculator and it makes a happy face!"
Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 01/28/2015 08:59 amI still want to see a modified BEAM with telescopic stiffening rods in the centre and a IDS port at one end to see if it is practical as a launch-with-Dragon orbital module. It wouldn't be that simple; I'm not even sure that the final product would be light enough to dual launch with Dragon but I think it would be a worthwhile idea to at least seriously investigate. Why? We don't know when BA-330 will be in a flyable condition but BEAM very nearly is in flyable condition and it might get both Bigelow and SpaceX a revenue stream from flying some of Space Adventures short-duration LEO ticket holders.Last century, rich people paid for the thrill ride in one of the barely-flyable early aircraft for a few minutes. I can see them being willing to do so again for a few days in LEO. A few hundred thousands of dollars to have some of the R&D boys look at the figures and play with CAD but potentially millions in passenger revenue at the other side if it turns out to be workable. To quote a certain fictional entrepreneur: "I punched those numbers into my pocket calculator and it makes a happy face!"A Falcon 9 may be sufficient to put the pair in LEO. An arm will be needed to extract the BEAM V2.0 from the trunk.Could a Falcon Heavy send the pair on an Apollo 8 style trip around the Moon?
Why an arm? Attach it to the second stage and have Dragon 2 separate, turn around, dock and extract it the same as Apollo extracted the LEM.
Quote from: docmordrid on 01/29/2015 03:52 pmWhy an arm? Attach it to the second stage and have Dragon 2 separate, turn around, dock and extract it the same as Apollo extracted the LEM.Because an arm is being used to extract the BEAM from the trunk at the ISS. Little arms are being developed suitable for capsules.
@BigelowSpace's inflatible space station module now to fly to ISS September-ish aboard @SpaceX's 8th paid cargo run, per NASA budget doc.
As far as I know, NASA astronauts will be formally allowed to enter the BEAM module from time-to-time for data collection, etc.But I'm thinking since the module is flexible, tear-resistant, 3.2 meters in diameter, etc. And unlike other ISS modules, uncluttered inside, it may be safe for astronauts/cosmonauts to have SOME FUN inside on occasion. Things like engaging in zero-g acrobatics without fear of banging ones head into a locker or instrument panel.Think also faux-centrifugal jogging loops inside. Those of us old enough to remember Skylab will know what I'm talking about.
Think also faux-centrifugal jogging loops inside. Those of us old enough to remember Skylab will know what I'm talking about.
Quote from: Moe Grills on 03/04/2015 04:00 pmThink also faux-centrifugal jogging loops inside. Those of us old enough to remember Skylab will know what I'm talking about.Not big enough. If your feet are on one side, your head is already past the center-point. Skylab was -far- bigger inside.
Quote from: Moe Grills on 03/04/2015 04:00 pm As far as I know, NASA astronauts will be formally allowed to enter the BEAM module from time-to-time for data collection, etc.But I'm thinking since the module is flexible, tear-resistant, 3.2 meters in diameter, etc. And unlike other ISS modules, uncluttered inside, it may be safe for astronauts/cosmonauts to have SOME FUN inside on occasion. Things like engaging in zero-g acrobatics without fear of banging ones head into a locker or instrument panel.Think also faux-centrifugal jogging loops inside. Those of us old enough to remember Skylab will know what I'm talking about.It's actually not going to be any bigger than other ISS modules, and will be almost certainly filled with trash.