NASASpaceFlight.com Forum

International Space Station (ISS) => ISS Section => Topic started by: DarkenedOne on 08/23/2011 10:31 pm

Title: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: DarkenedOne on 08/23/2011 10:31 pm
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2011/08/23/japanese-eye-bigelow-module-for-station-expansion/

It seems that NASA is not the only ones who have thought about attaching one of Bigelows Modules to the ISS.  By the way is NASA still considering this option.
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: Danderman on 08/23/2011 11:10 pm
I am sure that the Japanese would be interested in learning everything they can about Bigelow's technology, since they are avid collectors of space technology.
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: A_M_Swallow on 08/23/2011 11:22 pm
I am sure that the Japanese would be interested in learning everything they can about Bigelow's technology, since they are avid collectors of space technology.


The old can we buy one copy of your product and a set of plans so we can repair it.  Two years later a Japanese version of the product is on sale at a cheaper price.
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: simonbp on 08/23/2011 11:49 pm
The old can we buy one copy of your product and a set of plans so we can repair it.  Two years later a Japanese version of the product is on sale at a cheaper price.

If so, Bigelow might complain, but noone else will... :)

On the other hand, the Japanese have hardly captured the commercial launch market, despite getting a head start when they began to license build Deltas back in the 1970s. I doubt that they would see commercial espionage as in their in best interests.
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: manboy on 08/24/2011 12:09 am
But Kibo only has two berthing ports and they're both occupied. Not sure if they'd be allow to use the node docking ports.
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2011 12:18 am
But Kibo only has two berthing ports and they're both occupied. Not sure if they'd be allow to use the node docking ports.

Like Kibo, would be a trade of services (ie power, berthing, maybe even launch services) for space with NASA.
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: manboy on 08/24/2011 12:25 am
But Kibo only has two berthing ports and they're both occupied. Not sure if they'd be allow to use the node docking ports.

Like Kibo, would be a trade of services (ie power, berthing, maybe even launch services) for space with NASA.
I've been out of the loop in regards the Bigelow inflatable module but without Node 4 where would we put it? On Node 3?
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/24/2011 12:34 am
Here are the L2 links:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=tags&tags=BEAM
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: manboy on 08/24/2011 12:43 am
Here are the L2 links:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=tags&tags=BEAM
I'm not a member of L2. But I did find a link I had seen a while back that showed a non-Bigelow expandable module attached to Node 3.


http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/458816main_FTD_InflatableModuleMission.pdf

Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: PeterAlt on 08/25/2011 12:37 am
But Kibo only has two berthing ports and they're both occupied. Not sure if they'd be allow to use the node docking ports.

The Bigelow module they proposed to NASA a few months back would have two docking ports. I'm assuming this is the same module they are proposing to the Japanese. It would go on the Kibo Pressurized Module where the Kibo Logistics Module is now. And the Logistics Module would dock to the other side of the Bigelow module.
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: manboy on 08/25/2011 01:28 am
But Kibo only has two berthing ports and they're both occupied. Not sure if they'd be allow to use the node docking ports.

The Bigelow module they proposed to NASA a few months back would have two docking ports. I'm assuming this is the same module they are proposing to the Japanese. It would go on the Kibo Pressurized Module where the Kibo Logistics Module is now. And the Logistics Module would dock to the other side of the Bigelow module.
Would it have clearance problems with the JEMRMS?
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: Ronsmytheiii on 08/25/2011 07:45 pm
But Kibo only has two berthing ports and they're both occupied. Not sure if they'd be allow to use the node docking ports.

The Bigelow module they proposed to NASA a few months back would have two docking ports. I'm assuming this is the same module they are proposing to the Japanese. It would go on the Kibo Pressurized Module where the Kibo Logistics Module is now. And the Logistics Module would dock to the other side of the Bigelow module.

The design has changed per L2, I highly suggest reading that and signing up if you dont have it.
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: Danderman on 08/31/2011 04:50 am
The old can we buy one copy of your product and a set of plans so we can repair it.  Two years later a Japanese version of the product is on sale at a cheaper price.

If so, Bigelow might complain, but noone else will... :)

On the other hand, the Japanese have hardly captured the commercial launch market, despite getting a head start when they began to license build Deltas back in the 1970s. I doubt that they would see commercial espionage as in their in best interests.

The famous story is that the Japanese license built Deltas, but improved the vehicle with a cryogenic upper stage. At some point, MacDac wanted to use the Japanese cryogenic stage on US Deltas, but the Japanese declined to provide the technology.
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: Danderman on 08/31/2011 04:51 am
I am sure that the Japanese would be interested in learning everything they can about Bigelow's technology, since they are avid collectors of space technology.


The old can we buy one copy of your product and a set of plans so we can repair it.  Two years later a Japanese version of the product is on sale at a cheaper price.

Or in this case, can we go to your assembly building and see your nice inflatable module?
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: A_M_Swallow on 08/31/2011 05:29 am
I am sure that the Japanese would be interested in learning everything they can about Bigelow's technology, since they are avid collectors of space technology.


The old can we buy one copy of your product and a set of plans so we can repair it.  Two years later a Japanese version of the product is on sale at a cheaper price.

Or in this case, can we go to your assembly building and see your nice inflatable module?


To copy them they probably have to take the models apart.
Title: Re: Japanese consider Bigelow module
Post by: Danderman on 08/31/2011 03:07 pm
I am sure that the Japanese would be interested in learning everything they can about Bigelow's technology, since they are avid collectors of space technology.


The old can we buy one copy of your product and a set of plans so we can repair it.  Two years later a Japanese version of the product is on sale at a cheaper price.

Or in this case, can we go to your assembly building and see your nice inflatable module?


To copy them they probably have to take the models apart.

You underestimate the capabilities of Japanese engineers when it comes to collection of industrial data.