Inflatable Space
There's someone in that suit. News is coming about Space faster than I can write about it. Atlantis landed safely at Kennedy Spaceport at 0621 EST. For a few days there were 12 humans in Space. Still onboard the ISS is Persian-American Anousheh Ansari, who will be conducting experiments on behalf of ESA. She represents the true aspirations of Persian women. I am still saving my own 20 million!
From his HQ in Las Vegas, entepreneur Robert T. Bigelow built the Genesis inflatable habitat. It was launched into orbit by a Russian rocket July 12. Today Bigelow announced SUNDANCER, a fully crewed habitat to launch around 2009. It will weigh 19,000 lb and have an intial crew of 3. This will be a privately built space station! You heard it here first!
We are witnessing a transition in Space, where NASA is moving to the frontier of exploration and leaving Earth orbit for the private sector. Bigelow also announced plans to work with Lockheed on this ATLAS V booster. It is descended from the Atlas ICBM that boosted John Glenn into orbit. This is also a possible booster for the Orion CEV.
posted by L. Riofrio at 2:41 PM
5 Comments:
Wow! Some reason for optimism is so welcome.
I'm glad to hear that more of the wealthy private sector is getting into space. We can't rely on governments to fund everything. Have fun!
09 22 06
Now that is really cool. As a capitalist, I have been waiting for NASA to give up their stronghold on space exploration. As a kid, I dreamed of travelling to space one day and the NASA programme was a real turn on. But as I got older I always asked why only a very SMALL select few get to go up there, while the rest of us pine for the experience.
Well now, more can go up provided they have cash but so what! At least you can purchase your way into space, whereas before you had to rely upon the government.
My only fear is how this industry will be regulated and that we don't have a universe run by "The Company" as in Aliens;)
Great hearing from all of you, and hearing that you are optimistic too. The more people go into Space, the more dreams are answered.
Bigelow also announced plans to work with Lockheed on this ATLAS V booster.
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