Test for Commercial Space Habitat Reaches Milestone

[Chris Bergin]

Chris Reed
Publicist
http://www.bigelowaerospace.com

Bigelow Aerospace’s Pathfinder Genesis I Completes 10,000th Orbit

LAS VEGAS, NV 05/08/08 – Genesis I, the first test module launched by commercial space habitat developer Bigelow Aerospace, has completed its 10,000th orbit around the Earth. The unmanned module is about to start its third year in space since it ushered in a new era of private space development following its July 12, 2006 launch.

Since it was lifted into orbit, Genesis I has continued to perform its main mission to test and verify systems to be used in future manned space habitats. A one-third scale model of the future BA 330 space complex modules, Genesis I performed the first successful test of expandable space habitat technology in orbit.

In its 660 days in orbit, Genesis I has traveled the equivalent of more than 270 million miles, which would take it to the Moon and back 1,154 times.

During its perpetual trip around the Earth, Genesis I has seen every corner of the globe. The spacecraft’s on-board camera system has recorded approximately 14,000 images including images of all seven continents. Many of the images can be seen on the Bigelow Aerospace Web site at www.bigelowaerospace.com.

While people back on Earth take care to turn off the light when they leave a room, the lights have stayed on inside Genesis I. Electrical equipment on board have been churning away for 15,840 consecutive hours.

Bigelow Aerospace, based in Las Vegas, followed up Genesis I by launching sister spacecraft Genesis II on June 28, 2007, and is currently at work on Sundancer, its first module designed to support a human crew.