Bigelow打了两个起源,然后长期以来靠ppt打天下。BEAM发射成功了,这不BA330终于有消息了,将使用ULA的 Atlas 552火箭发射升空
不过,看他们的意思,BA330优先选项是对接ISS作为一个舱段。太空商业化的太空旅游太空旅馆,pr做ppt还好,要转化为真金白银,还是得向政府合同上靠拢,╮(╯▽╰)╭
http://www.ulalaunch.com/bigelow-aerospace-and-ula-join-forces.aspx
Bigelow Aerospace and United Launch Alliance Join Forces to Foster a New Era of Sustainable Commercialization in Low Earth Orbit
Alliance represents the first-ever commercial partnership between a launch provider and a habitat provider
Colorado Springs, Colo., (April 11, 2016)
– Bigelow Aerospace (BA) and United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced
they are partnering to develop and deploy habitable volumes in Low Earth
orbit (LEO). The volumes will be based on the Bigelow Aerospace B330
expandable module with the initial launch to orbit in 2020 on ULA's
Atlas V 552 configuration launch vehicle.
The B330 will have 330
cubic meters (12,000 cu ft) of internal space. The craft will support
zero-gravity research including scientific missions and manufacturing
processes. Beyond its industrial and scientific purposes, however, it
has potential as a destination for space tourism and a craft for
missions destined for the Moon and Mars.
“We are exploring
options for the location of the initial B330 including discussions with
NASA on the possibility of attaching it to the International Space
Station (ISS),” said Robert Bigelow, founder and president of Bigelow
Aerospace. “In that configuration, the B330 will enlarge the station’s
volume by 30% and function as a multipurpose testbed in support of
NASA’s exploration goals as well as provide significant commercial
opportunities. The working name for this module is XBASE or Expandable
Bigelow Advanced Station Enhancement.”
“When looking for a
vehicle to launch our large, unique spacecraft, ULA provides a heritage
of solid mission success, schedule certainty and a cost effective
solution,” continued Mr. Bigelow.
Transportation to the B330 will
be provided by NASA’s commercial crew providers, whether the station is
free flying or attached to the ISS. The traffic to just one module
will more than double the number of crew flights per year.
“We
could not be more pleased than to partner with Bigelow Aerospace and
reserve a launch slot on our manifest for this revolutionary mission,”
said Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO. “This innovative and
game-changing advance will dramatically increase opportunities for space
research in fields like materials, medicine and biology. And it enables
destinations in space for countries, corporations and even individuals
far beyond what is available today, effectively democratizing space. We
can’t begin to imagine the future potential of affordable real estate in
space.”
Development of Bigelow’s B330 is well underway as is the
integration of the B330 to the Atlas V. The companies are working
together to develop the business construct, commercial product offerings
and marketing plans. Once the habitat is proven and markets are
established, additional B330’s will be deployed to other locations, even
the moon and Mars, to meet increasing demand for habitable volumes in
space.
About Bigelow Aerospace
Bigelow
Aerospace is a destination oriented company with a focus on expandable
systems for use in a variety of space applications. Chief among which
are habitable systems for human or robotic use in low Earth orbit, on
the lunar surface or in deep space. As such, these NASA heritage systems
provide for greater volume, safety, opportunity and economy than the
aluminum alternatives. For more information on Bigelow Aerospace visit www.bigelowaerospace.com, www.facebook.com/bigelowaerospace, www.twitter.com/BigelowSpace and www.instagram.com/bigelowspace.
About United Launch Alliance
With
more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the
nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has
successfully delivered more than 100 satellites to orbit that provide
critical capabilities for troops in the field, aid meteorologists in
tracking severe weather, enable personal device-based GPS navigation and
unlock the mysteries of our solar system.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com. Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch, and instagram.com/ulalaunch.
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