New home of astronauts on the space station

The US Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) plans to take a balloon-shaped space on the International Space Station (ISS) to replace the existing box-shaped metal module.

NASA is collaborating with private space trading company Bigelow Aerospace to bring to ISS a 3 m wide diameter inflatable module in 2015 in a project worth $ 17.8 million.

Mr. Robert Bigelow

NASA technical expert Glen Miller said that if this balloon module was used well within 2 years on ISS, it would be considered to build a home for astronauts on a flight to the moon or Mars. Future.

Mr. Miller said that the new technology would provide space for astronauts to be cheaper and safer than existing aluminum modules.

During a January 16 press conference, NASA official Lori Garver announced that Bigelow Aerospace was chosen to sign a contract because it is a leading expert in inflatable accommodation technology and a number of other service equipment. for space station.

The founder and president of the company, Robert Bigelow, announced that he plans to start selling similar products to countries that want to increase their space presence from 2016.