Another Bigelow Launch Success

Bigelow Aerospace has gone two for two in its Russian launches. Earlier today, Bigelow's second experimental spacecraft, Genesis II, was launched into orbit from a Russian base atop a Russian rocket. Last July, Genesis I was launched from Russia, as well, and is still sending back data from orbit.

Genesis I has been a huge success for the company. The key concept Bigelow is trying to introduce into manned spaceflight is the inflatable module. A module that can expand in space will allow the construction of large structures in space-- and eventually on the Moon, on asteroids, and possibly on Mars-- while using the same types of rocket launchers that have always been used. Studies suggest we might be using those same launchers for the next fifty years, so Bigelow's inflatable module approach could be a fundamental, even historic, breakthrough.

Genesis I expanded and deployed its power-producing solar arrays perfectly; it has performed exceedingly well, especially for a first attempt by a new company. Genesis II is closely modeled on its predecessor, but is packed with more sensors and more technology. If all goes well with Genesis II, Bigelow Aerospace will be on course to launch a man-rated inflatable module in 2010. Add that achievement to the private launch companies that intend to be flying tourists on suborbital thrill rides before 2010, and NASA's plan to open the U. S. side of the ISS to some private researchers as it heads back to the Moon to establish a permanent base, and you can argue the next decade has the potential to finally launch phase two of The Space Age.