Inflatable spaceship - the foundation of the hotel in space

On July 12, the Genesis I inflatable spacecraft (pictured) - considered the foundation of the future space hotel model - was successfully launched from southern Russia. Launched by the Dnepr missile (modified from the Cold War intercontinental intercontinental missile), the Genesis I is expected to reach orbit about 550 km from Earth, with a tilt of 64 degrees towards the equator.

The watermelon-shaped vehicle is designed based on the type of abandoned spacecraft of the US National Aeronautics Administration (NASA) when it stabilizes its position in orbit, it will bulge. Full size. Genesis I built by Bigelow Aerospace is the first spacecraft in a series of experimental spacecraft designed to prove the feasibility of inflatable space stations used as aerial hotels. time.

When launched, Genesis I is 4.2 meters long and 1.2 meters wide and it will inflate to twice the width in orbit. It is about one-third the size of a commercial space station that Bigelow plans to bring. The ship is built around a hard core and two partitions. The inflated partitions are made up of a lot of materials including Kevlar, often used to make bulletproof vests and Vectran yarns. The partitions are designed to be airtight and sure to withstand the impact of cosmic debris and small meteorites. When in full size, each partition will be 40 cm thick.

The Genesis I is expected to fly around in orbit for 2-5 years so scientists can test their durability and will gradually lower the altitude as friction with the atmosphere causes it to lose momentum, eventually burning in the atmosphere. . It is also equipped with 13 cameras for taking photos and filming the Earth about its process and objects placed inside - including photos, cards and toys - posted by staff.

The idea of ​​using inflatable spacecraft is not new because in the 1990s, NASA had studied the pumping technology for spacecraft to Mars, but then abandoned the idea after claiming that the technology too wasteful. Bigelow is currently studying a project to build a private space complex in 2015 with an investment of up to $ 500 million. The complex is expected to include several Genesis-type inflatable spacecraft that can be expanded, linked together for use as a hotel, or can be a science laboratory or a university. Bigelow also hopes to launch a similar spacecraft named Genesis II next fall. The owner of the famous Budget Suites of America hotel chain in the US plans to launch a total of 6 - 10 test ships to orbit before the launch of the space station, the earliest scheduled for 2012.

HQ