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Spacecraft history This article is about the space station module. For the NASA sample-return mission, see Genesis
Systems (spacecraft).

Payload Genesis I is an experimental space habitat designed and built by Genesis I

the private American firm Bigelow Aerospace and launched in
See also
2006. It was the first module to be sent into orbit by the company,
References
and tested various systems, materials and techniques related to
External links determining the viability of long-term inflatable space structures
through 2008. Such structures, including this module and others
built by Bigelow Aerospace, were similar to the 1990s NASA
expandable TransHab design, which aimed to provide increased
interior volume at a reduced launch diameter and potentially
reduced mass compared to traditional rigid structures.

The on-board systems transmitted data for 2.5 years. The

spacecraft remains in orbit, allowing researchers to continue to
monitor the long-term viability of its expandable space structure.

Spacecraft history [ edit ]

Genesis I was launched on 12 July 2006 at 14:53:36 UTC[3]

Image from one of the seven exterior
aboard an ISC Kosmotras Dnepr launch vehicle, launched from cameras on Genesis I
Dombarovsky missile base near Yasny, Orenburg Oblast, Russia. Mission type Experimental uncrewed
Spacecraft control was transferred to Bigelow Aerospace at 15:08 space station
Operator Bigelow Aerospace
UTC after a successful orbital insertion.[7] Designed as a one-
COSPAR ID 2006-029A
third scale model of the full size BA 330, when in orbit the main
SATCAT no. 29252
body of the craft measures 4.40 m (14.4 ft) long and 2.54 m (8 ft
Mission duration 6 months (planned)
4 in) in diameter, with an interior habitable volume of 11.5 m3 2.5 years (achieved)
(410 cu ft). As part of the expandable design, however, the 17 years, 7 months and
19 days (in orbit)
module launched with a diameter of only 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in),
Spacecraft properties
inflating to its full size after entering orbit.[8] The expansion
Spacecraft Space station
process took approximately ten minutes.[4]
Spacecraft type Genesis
Manufacturer Bigelow Aerospace
Genesis I suffered a major radiation event in December 2006 as
Launch mass 1,360 kg (3,000 lb) [1]
a result of a "solar storm". Mission controllers were able to restart
Dimensions 4.40 m (14.4 ft) of long
the system in time, though the situation was described as being 2.54 m (8 ft 4 in) of
"one fault away from the spacecraft being dead". Despite this, no diameter
11.50 m3 (406 cu ft) of
lasting damage occurred and the spacecraft was continuing to
volume
operate in "excellent shape" in March 2007.[9] 51.70 kPa (7.498 psi) of
pressure [2]
The spacecraft completed its 10,000th orbit on 8 May 2008, some Start of mission
660 days after launch. By that time, Genesis I had traveled more Launch date 12 July 2006, 14:53:36
than 430 million kilometers (270 million miles), the equivalent of UTC[3]
going to the Moon and back 1,154 times, and had taken more Rocket Dnepr

than 14,000 images, including images of all seven continents. Its Launch site Dombarovsky, Russia
Contractor Yuzhmash
electrical equipment had been continuously powered since it first
End of mission
became operational.[10]
Disposal Reentry (expected) [4]
Although the design life of the spacecraft avionics was only six Deactivated Retired, on orbit [5]
months, the avionics systems worked flawlessly for "over two and Orbital parameters
a half years" before failure. The data received after the first six Reference system Geocentric orbit[6]
months was a re-verification of the validation test suite that was Regime Low Earth orbit
accomplished during the design life period.[11] Perigee altitude 470 km (290 mi)
Apogee altitude 480 km (300 mi)
In February 2011, Bigelow reported that the vehicle had Inclination 64.52°
"performed flawlessly in terms of pressure maintenance and Period 94.84 minutes
thermal control-environmental containment".[12] Genesis program
Genesis II →
The orbital life was originally estimated to be 12 years, with a
gradually decaying orbit resulting in re-entry into the atmosphere of Earth and burn-up expected. Its
operations lasted approximately 2.5 years, significantly longer than its expected 6-month mission duration.[5]
As of 2023, the spacecraft remains in orbit.[6]

Systems [ edit ]

Genesis I is outfitted with eight GaAs solar panel arrays, four on each end of the craft, which produced 1000
watts total power[13] and maintained a 26 volt battery charge.[14] It carries thirteen cameras, seven externally
to monitor the physical condition of the spacecraft, such as the outer shell and solar arrays, and six internally
to photograph the various objects and experiments.[2] Internal systems established an atmospheric pressure
of 51.7 kPa (7.50 psi)[15] and used passive thermal control to keep temperatures at an average of 26 °C
(79 °F),[14] with observed limits of approximately 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) and 32 °C (90 °F).[16] Genesis I used a
single gas tank for its inflation system, and guidance/stabilization control is performed using a network of
torque rods, Sun sensors, GPS and a magnetometer.[17]

Payload [ edit ]

Aside from the various systems and monitoring equipment, Genesis I is orbiting with a wide variety of cargo.
Bigelow employees contributed numerous photographs, toys, cards and other items, which were seen in still
images floating around the cabin. Bigelow also placed a life sciences experiment on board, which contained
four Madagascar hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa) and approximately 20 so-called
Mexican jumping beans, which are seeds containing the live larva of the moth Cydia saltitans.[18][19] In
addition, the company allowed NASA to include a prototype for the GeneSat series of nanosatellites. This
device, called GeneBox, tested the systems and procedures that will be used on future GeneSat missions.
While GeneBox carries no living organisms, future flights will use sensors and optics to measure how
weightlessness affects genes and the genetic activity of cells and microscopic life.[20][21]

See also [ edit ]

Galaxy (spacecraft), a space habitat concept by Bigelow Spaceflight portal

Genesis II
Inflatable space habitat
Sundancer, a space habitat concept by Bigelow
Timeline of private spaceflight

References [ edit ]

1. ^ Boyle, Alan (17 April 2007). "Private space station test delayed till May" . NBC News.
2. ^ a b "Genesis I Specs" . Bigelow Aerospace. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved
11 February 2012.
3. ^ a b "Jonathan's Space Report Launch Log" . Planet4589.org. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
4. ^ a b David, Leonard (21 July 2006). "Bigelow Aerospace's Genesis-1 Performing Well" . Space.com. Retrieved
30 June 2007.
5. ^ a b @BigelowSpace (9 January 2016). "@ras391 We hoped to receive 6 months of uncorrupted data from Genesis I & II. We
were in contact for over 2.5 years!" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 February 2016 – via Twitter.
6. ^ a b Peat, Chris (24 December 2020). "Genesis 1 - Orbit" . Heavens-Above. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
7. ^ "Russia inaugurates new space launch site" . Russian Space Web. 17 July 2006. Retrieved 30 June 2007.
8. ^ "Genesis II Calls Home, Says It's Doing Fine" . Bigelow Aerospace. 28 June 2007. Archived from the original on 6
February 2008.
9. ^ David, Leonard (26 March 2007). "Bigelow Aerospace Sets a Business Trajectory" . Space.com. Retrieved 6 August
2007.
10. ^ Malik, Tariq (9 May 2008). "Private Space Station Prototype Hits Orbital Milestone" . Space.com. Retrieved 9 May
2008.
11. ^ Bigelow, Robert (interviewee) (1 December 2011). Moonandback Interview With Robert Bigelow, Part 4 –
Highlights and Plans (Podcast). Moonandback.com. Event occurs at 2:53. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
12. ^ Knapp, George (4 February 2011). "I-Team: Bigelow Aerospace Begins Big Expansion" . 8NewsNow.com. Archived
from the original on 6 February 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
13. ^ "Genesis-I and II" . SpaceQuest.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2007.
14. ^ a b David, Leonard (12 July 2006). "Bigelow Module: Orbital Updates" . Live Science. Archived from the original on
29 September 2007.
15. ^ David, Leonard (13 July 2006). "Bigelow's Genesis-1 Performing Well" . Live Science. Archived from the original on
29 September 2007.
16. ^ Ingham, Jay (13 February 2007). "Genesis I: Performance" . Bigelow Aerospace. Archived from the original on
15 December 2007.
17. ^ Haakonstad, Eric (5 March 2007). "Genesis II Different From Genesis I" . Bigelow Aerospace. Archived from
the original on 8 March 2007.
18. ^ Ledford, Heidi (8 August 2006). "Space hotel gets a check-up" . Nature. Nature (journal). doi:10.1038/news060807-
7 . Retrieved 8 July 2013.
19. ^ Malik, Tariq; David, Leonard (28 June 2007). "Bigelow's Second Orbital Module Launches Into Space" . Space.com.
Retrieved 30 June 2007.
20. ^ "Bigelow Spacecraft Carries NASA "Genebox" For Tests In Orbit" (Press release). NASA Ames. 17 July 2006. Retrieved
30 June 2007. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
21. ^ Cowing, Keith (30 July 2006). "A Closer Look at NASA's GeneBox Payload" . SpaceRef. Retrieved 30 June 2007.

External links [ edit ]

Genesis spacecraft at Bigelow Aerospace

"NASA workshop on the Global Exploration Roadmap (Bigelow briefing in Session 2)" . 11 April 2014. Retrieved
12 January 2023.

V·T·E Space stations and habitats [show]

V·T·E Space tourism [show]

V·T·E ← 2005 Orbital launches in 2006 2007 → [show]

Categories: Bigelow Aerospace Derelict satellites orbiting Earth Space stations

Spacecraft launched in 2006 Spacecraft launched by Dnepr rockets

This page was last edited on 23 December 2023, at 04:01 (UTC).

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