Another couple of images from the world's first private-sector space station were released today, signaling that we could expect a stream of fascinating snapshots from orbit, just as the company behind the Genesis 1 inflatable spacecraft promised. And it's just as fascinating to read the stream of reports about Genesis 1 and Bigelow Aerospace, including claims that the company could be seen as privately funded "mini-Skunk Works" for NASA's exploration efforts.
Bigelow Aerospace |
The curving Earth can be seen in the background of this Genesis 1 self-portrait. On the left side of the image, sections of the spacecraft's inflatable skin are visible. An edge-on solar array also appears in the picture. |
Today's images are still not quite ready for prime time, but one of them does show the blue curve of Earth in the background for the first time. That's the one you see here. Another picture provides a clearer view of part of Genesis 1's inflatable skin. To see that additional picture, as well as others that may well be posted in the days ahead, bookmark this page on the Bigelow Aerospace site.
In one sense, the Bigelow venture is the creation of real-estate billionaire Robert Bigelow - part of his grand plan to offer orbital facilities for use as hotels or laboratories within a decade. But in another sense, Genesis 1 and the Bigelow spacecraft have come to represent the realization of a dream that had its genesis at Johnson Space Center. In return, NASA could conceivably adapt the technology for future moonbase modules. Clark Lindsey's RLV and Space Transport News provides a snippet about the "mini-Skunk Works" angle from this week's issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology.
This week's online issue of The Space Review also provides a big-picture perspective on Bigelow's space effort. And if it's a podcast you're looking for, Clark is linking to an audio interview with Genesis project manager Eric Haakonstad, offered by Boston's Museum of Science.
