Author Topic: What's Happening at Bigelow? (Read 429253 times)

beancounter · « **Reply #320 on:** 07/27/2010 01:15 am »

Yes I noticed the update as well. I think the layout's much improved and there is additional info' available as well.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #321 on:** 07/27/2010 01:34 am »

Quote from: thomson on 07/26/2010 01:56 pm

Bigelow webpage got updated recently http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/.

Not sure if this is just new design, but I believe I haven't seen some of the info there, e.g. Sundancer vs ISS Destiny comparison (http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/images/sundancer-last-compare.jpg).

That is one thing that has bugged me, how the module uses equipment mounted to the circumference of the module. It would seem to be much more efficient to do the Skylab style decks/floors, as was proposed later for transhab:

http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2004-02/case-study

CriX · « **Reply #322 on:** 07/27/2010 04:06 am »

I like the new website design plus the slides they have comparing their inflatable volumes to the ISS existing modules are cool. They are expanding their facilities and have some mechanical design openings.

docmordrid · « **Reply #323 on:** 07/27/2010 09:41 pm »

Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 07/20/2010 09:37 am

Quote from: mmeijeri on 07/19/2010 08:40 pm
A new promotional video for the CST-100 also shows a nice flyaround of the planned Bigelow station:

Interesting that the node has a propulsion module. Would that be a reboost engine? Or are they planning to ultimately take that thing out to one of the EML points?

The propulsion bus has always been a feature of the node and has, so far, been defined as an OMS/reboost and, with vertical engines and legs, for landing a lunar base.

I would think with refueling EML transfer is certainly a possibility given the size of that thing.

Bigelow has stated, and their artwork shows, that their lunar base would be assembled at L1 and their patent shows the power module being used precisely in those ways so....

docmordrid · « **Reply #324 on:** 08/06/2010 04:46 am »

Quote from: neilh on 07/08/2010 01:30 am

Does this mean that Bigelow could have the first refueling hydrolox system in space?

Sounds like maybe

Interesting basic diagram of it appeared on Popular Mechanics site yesterday....

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/news/inflatable-space-station?click=pm_latest

e of pi · « **Reply #325 on:** 08/06/2010 06:06 am »

It's interesting noting the decks on that diagram vs. the decks that appear to be in the cutaways on the Bigelow site, since this diagram shows an arrangement seems more like the Skylab style of the original Transhab (which is I think uses the volume better).

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #326 on:** 08/06/2010 03:35 pm »

Quote from: e of pi on 08/06/2010 06:06 am

It's interesting noting the decks on that diagram vs. the decks that appear to be in the cutaways on the Bigelow site, since this diagram shows an arrangement seems more like the Skylab style of the original Transhab (which is I think uses the volume better).

There are two obvious internal configurations for a Bigelow-style module. The first is a vertically-aligned arrangement (like Skylab) with the decks arranged around a central core that will contain the power, data and other utility conduits. This configuration would be ideal both for a free-floating spacestation and also as a crew module for deep space flights (as the decks would be arranged around the thrusting axis of the MPS). The second is a horizontal alignment, somewhat like the ISS. This would be ideal for the lunar surface application.

mr. mark · « **Reply #327 on:** 10/19/2010 04:58 pm »

Looks like they are starting to make some headway as far as Sundancer.
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=31881

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #328 on:** 10/19/2010 07:02 pm »

I thought Paragon was doing the ECLSS for Bigelow, not Orbitec....

mmeijeri · « **Reply #329 on:** 10/19/2010 07:13 pm »

Maybe you are thinking of Dreamchaser? Last I heard both Paragon and Oceaneering were candidates for supplying the ECLSS.

docmordrid · « **Reply #330 on:** 10/19/2010 08:14 pm »

One step at a time, and before you know it....

mr. mark · « **Reply #331 on:** 10/20/2010 01:46 am »

I guess Bigelow has been signing up international clients for their space station. Check out the current article at Space.com

yg1968 · « **Reply #332 on:** 10/20/2010 02:12 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 10/20/2010 01:46 am

I guess Bigelow has been signing up international clients for their space station. Check out the current article at Space.com

Yes, this one.
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/private-space-station-first-clients-101019.html

corrodedNut · « **Reply #333 on:** 10/22/2010 12:01 am »

Video from the symposium:

!

"Bigelow Aerospace Vice President Jay Ingham provides this overview of the company's commercial space station plans using scale models at the International Symposium for Private and Commercial Spaceflight."

Towards the end of the video you can see a small moon, wait, that's no moon...it's...it's a Bigelow BA2100...

Lampyridae · « **Reply #334 on:** 10/22/2010 02:06 pm »

Seems like the best way to make use of all that space. ISS-style decks also help with ground testing and integration (as well as walk-through mockups). The final image of the NY times article shows a lander that appears derived from their propulsion node. Probably explains a few of the changes we've seen in the node design away from an ISS-type node.

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #335 on:** 10/22/2010 08:20 pm »

So, it looks to me that Alpha is basically two Sundancers, a Nautilus (BA330) and a propulsion node.

That BA2100 is something else though. Any remaining doubts that Robert Bigelow and Elon Musk are serious about going to Mars has just been knocked into a cocked hat. Those two may not be as rich as Howard Hughes, but they certainly have his daring!

[edit - corrected typo]

SpacexULA · « **Reply #336 on:** 10/22/2010 08:55 pm »

Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 10/22/2010 08:20 pm

So, it looks to me that Alpha is basically two Sundancers, a Nautilus (BA330) and a propulsion node.

That BA2100 is something else though. Any remaining doubts that Robert Bigelow and Elon Musk are serious about going to Mars has just been knocked into a cocked hat. Those two may not be as rich as Howard Hughes, but they certainly have his daring![edit - corrected typo]

The scary thing is they have ad a mock up of Sundancer and BA-330 for years now. Wonder how long before he has a full scale mock up of the 2100.

Maybe that's why Bigelow is building the new building, so he can have a mock up of the BA2100. <jk>

neilh · « **Reply #337 on:** 10/22/2010 10:33 pm »

Quote from: corrodedNut on 10/22/2010 12:01 am

Video from the symposium:

!

"Bigelow Aerospace Vice President Jay Ingham provides this overview of the company's commercial space station plans using scale models at the International Symposium for Private and Commercial Spaceflight."

Towards the end of the video you can see a small moon, wait, that's no moon...it's...it's a Bigelow BA2100...

Anyone else notice the "Resupply Depot Hercules" poster in the back, for a space station with 8300 cubic meters of pressurized volume? It's hard to see, but it looks like it calls for six BA330s and three BA2100s.

ChefPat · « **Reply #338 on:** 10/23/2010 01:22 am »

Quote from: neilh on 10/22/2010 10:33 pm

Anyone else notice the "Resupply Depot Hercules" poster in the back, for a space station with 8300 cubic meters of pressurized volume? It's hard to see, but it looks like it calls for six BA330s and three BA2100s.

That's impossible with currently available lift. 24 Sundancer's & 12 BA-330's gets you the same volume without having to wait for a new heavy lift vehicle.

Hauerg · « **Reply #339 on:** 10/23/2010 07:51 am »

Quote from: ChefPat on 10/23/2010 01:22 am

Quote from: neilh on 10/22/2010 10:33 pm
Anyone else notice the "Resupply Depot Hercules" poster in the back, for a space station with 8300 cubic meters of pressurized volume? It's hard to see, but it looks like it calls for six BA330s and three BA2100s.
That's impossible with currently available lift. 24 Sundancer's & 12 BA-330's gets you the same volume without having to wait for a new heavy lift vehicle.

On the other hand this might give SLS something to lift for certification flights.