http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060712/..._space_station

Genesis 1 will launch an inflatable balloon, about 1/3rd full size of the real thing, to test the concept in space. Robert Bigelow hopes that it is not a complete failure. The date of the launch has not been revealed.

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Not exactly an 'aim for the stars' attitude

Here's a related article on MS-NBC:

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archi...07/10/998.aspx

I've been following this for some time. This is another piece in the space puzzle, I just hope it all fits together to open up space for the rest of us.

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Disclaimer: Avatar is not an official NASA image and does not imply any specific interplanetary or interstellar capability.

The Leif Ericson Cruiser

So, Robert is not related to Deuce right?

Just kidding, I think this is exactly how private enterprise must move towards work in space. Bigelow work on an orbiting structure and invite others to build launch systems that can interact with said structure.... win win

We just now require the ISO to create a standard for docking systems and everyone is happy.

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There we were in the park when suddenly some old lady says I stole her purse..... I chucked the professor at her but she kept coming..... So I had to hit her with this purse I found.
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This is a great idea, I hope that the inflatable material proves to be durable.

The Genesis Pathfinder 1 inflatable spacecraft was launched aboard a Soviet-era intercontinental ballistic missile from the ISC Kosmotras space and missile complex (Dombarovsky missile base) in the Orenburg region of Russia, at 14:53 GMT on Wednesday.

Bigelow reported that the craft was successfully deployed in its designated orbit, about 500 kilometres above the Earth.
The mission controllers should received the first data about the spacecraft's health around 20:00 GMT.

TLE Data

^{GENESIS-1
1 29252U 06029A 06193.94428533 .00001168 00000-0 10000-3 0 29
2 29252 064.5108 176.6120 0004518 160.9931 199.1360 15.02715979 56}

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This launch was the first space launch from the new Yasnyy space complex, on the Dombarovsky ICBM base.
The Dombarovsky ICBM base is still operational and currently has 40 R-36M2/SS-18 missiles deployed there.

Latitude 50° 786 N, Longitude 059° 517 E

Attached Images

188467163_7bd690ff79_o.jpg (94.5 KB, 12 views)

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`Irony` actually does mean `metal like`...

I don't normally copy and paste post.... but....

From Bigelow Aerospace.
"5:20 PST
Bigelow Aerospace has received confirmation from the Genesis I spacecraft that it has successfully expanded.

We have also confirmed that all of the solar arrays have been deployed.

4:15 PST
Bigelow Aerospace mission control has begun to acquire information from the Genesis I spacecraft. The ISC Kosmotras Dnepr rocket has flawlessly delivered the Genesis I into the target orbit of 550km altitude at 64 degrees inclination. The internal battery is reporting a full charge of 26 volts, which leads us to believe that the solar arrays have deployed.

The internal temperature of the spacecraft is reported to be 26 degrees Celsius and we have acquired the spacecraft's Global Positioning System (GPS) signal that will enable us to track the ship in flight.

We have initiated communication with the ship's onboard computers and expect to download more information over the next few hours."

Well.... I for one am excited and hope everything goes better than they expect.

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There we were in the park when suddenly some old lady says I stole her purse..... I chucked the professor at her but she kept coming..... So I had to hit her with this purse I found.
-- Bender

From the Space Frontier Foundation:

CONGRATULATIONS BIGELOW AEROSPACE!
Foundation Applauds Launch of First Commercial Inflatable Habitat

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This is the first REAL private spaceship--not SS1.

It's in orbit.

I think it is rather amusing that the gnords at the Planetary Society failed where Dnepr and Bigelow worked like a dream.

Yeah, but remember that Dnepr is a stand in, and Genesis 1 isn't even close to full size yet.

Falcon's got a LONG way to go yet before they're ready for this one. When Genesis 2's series is done, and Bigelow's got an operational Nautilus on deck to launch, then we'll be a proper spaceship.

Its an awesome working model, probably the best of show for the real civilian candidates, but its no manned spacecraft yet.

Inflatable spacecraft beams back images

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First Images From Space Of Genesis 1 Vehicle

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See related thread

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`Irony` actually does mean `metal like`...

Threads merged.

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Everything I need to know I learned through Googling.

Today's Spaceweather has an image of the satellite track from the ground.

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Everything I need to know I learned through Googling.

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Everything I need to know I learned through Googling.

Hum,
you've read the papers , visited the website, and seen the pictures ,
now watch the movie...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13921683/

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`Irony` actually does mean `metal like`...