FIFTY launches starting in 2012 commencing at 12/year (according to Bigelow's site) and running several years is very likely more than the schedules of NASA and ESA combined
There was talk that Bigelow Aerospace was negotiating for several launches of their expandable space station modules aboard ULA's Atlas V rockets, but no one expected them to be on this scale. ULA is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
Lessee.....it's taken 20+ years to build the first modules for the ISS, 10+ years to launch just part of 'em and it's still not done but the first Bigelow station will be done & in service well before 2015 (most of the launches are passenger trips TO the station). What's wrong with this picture?
The image below is of the 3 module station mentioned in the article, but the Bigelow hub system allows for stations of as many as 5-6 modules per hub and multiple hubs. Bottom line: they can be HUGE complexes comprising many thousands of cubic meters.
The Lockheed capsule mentioned is called the PTV, Passenger Transfer Vehicle, and carries a crew of 8. It too would be launched on the Atlas V.
There are other possibilities; Benson's Dream Chaser spaceplane, a modified SpaceX Dragon or t/Space's CXV.
Flight Global article....
There was talk that Bigelow Aerospace was negotiating for several launches of their expandable space station modules aboard ULA's Atlas V rockets, but no one expected them to be on this scale. ULA is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
Lessee.....it's taken 20+ years to build the first modules for the ISS, 10+ years to launch just part of 'em and it's still not done but the first Bigelow station will be done & in service well before 2015 (most of the launches are passenger trips TO the station). What's wrong with this picture?
The image below is of the 3 module station mentioned in the article, but the Bigelow hub system allows for stations of as many as 5-6 modules per hub and multiple hubs. Bottom line: they can be HUGE complexes comprising many thousands of cubic meters.
The Lockheed capsule mentioned is called the PTV, Passenger Transfer Vehicle, and carries a crew of 8. It too would be launched on the Atlas V.
There are other possibilities; Benson's Dream Chaser spaceplane, a modified SpaceX Dragon or t/Space's CXV.
Flight Global article....
Bigelow finalises Lockheed deal for crew and cargo delivery
By Rob Coppinger
Commercial orbital complex developer Bigelow Aerospace is in the final stages of negotiating a deal with Lockheed Martin to provide a manned capsule and up to 50 Atlas V launches for crew and cargo by 2015.
The transportation deal will support Bigelow's planned orbital complex that is being marketed for use from 2012 to nations and private organisations.
Bigelow has already selected Lockheed's Atlas V 401 variant, with its 4m (13.1ft) fairing and a single engine-powered Centaur upper stage, for the 2010 and 2011 launches of its habitable Sundancer inflatable orbital spacecraft and its propulsion node module, respectively.
Bigelow's orbital complex concept calls for three inflatable modules and a propulsion node. Sundancer's ground test sister-module, Galaxy, is being built at the moment.
In late 2006 Bigelow announced it was in talks with Lockheed and the two are now in firm discussions for a contract for the 2010 and 2011 launches followed by six launches in 2012, 12 in both 2013 and 2014 and then 18 in 2015, in line with Bigelow's business plan.
"The capsule has to be determined at this time. Lockheed has a concept for a capsule. Our application is specifically for experienced astronauts and we will have our own training regime," says Bigelow.
This represents a change for Lockheed, which had said it would not involve itself in non-government work until it had delivered NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle, for which it won the contract in 2006.
By Rob Coppinger
Commercial orbital complex developer Bigelow Aerospace is in the final stages of negotiating a deal with Lockheed Martin to provide a manned capsule and up to 50 Atlas V launches for crew and cargo by 2015.
The transportation deal will support Bigelow's planned orbital complex that is being marketed for use from 2012 to nations and private organisations.
Bigelow has already selected Lockheed's Atlas V 401 variant, with its 4m (13.1ft) fairing and a single engine-powered Centaur upper stage, for the 2010 and 2011 launches of its habitable Sundancer inflatable orbital spacecraft and its propulsion node module, respectively.
Bigelow's orbital complex concept calls for three inflatable modules and a propulsion node. Sundancer's ground test sister-module, Galaxy, is being built at the moment.
In late 2006 Bigelow announced it was in talks with Lockheed and the two are now in firm discussions for a contract for the 2010 and 2011 launches followed by six launches in 2012, 12 in both 2013 and 2014 and then 18 in 2015, in line with Bigelow's business plan.
"The capsule has to be determined at this time. Lockheed has a concept for a capsule. Our application is specifically for experienced astronauts and we will have our own training regime," says Bigelow.
This represents a change for Lockheed, which had said it would not involve itself in non-government work until it had delivered NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle, for which it won the contract in 2006.
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