B330, Destined for Mars (Embargoed until: Sept. 12, 2019 11:30 am PT)
Thursday, September 12, 2019
This week Bigelow Aerospace has the
privilege of hosting NASA for a two
weeklong ground test of the B330
under the NextSTEP Phase 2
program. Shown here is an all steel
testing unit (Mars Transporter
Testing Unit).
The B330 is an autonomous,
expandable independent space
station that gets to space in a single
launch. This large space station can
accommodate four people
indefinitely and five people for many
months. Equipped with two galleys,
two toilets, enormous cargo space
and two dissimilar propulsion systems this is the ideal habitat for a long duration space
mission. The first B330 can be built in 42 months upon receiving authority to proceed. The
second B330 can be built within 28 months of the first, and the third B330 could be built within
22 months of the second.
The ground test is an important milestone for Bigelow Aerospace and B330. We are hosting
over 60 NASA engineers, test leads and support staff as well as eight astronauts. In contrast to
the other NextSTEP Phase 2 participants, we chose to keep our ground units at our facility so
we could continue to develop and test. We also have many units that are too large and
complex to feasibly transport back and forth.
The B330 has evolved from NASA heritage technology from the Transhab program. Expandable
habitat technology was created from the Transhab program with the purpose of taking humans
to Mars. This is important. In deep space, expandable structures have the potential to provide
better protection against secondary radiation than traditional aluminum structures. The total
effects of secondary radiation on humans are still unknown, but have the potential to be very
serious. Cancer is not the only big worry.
It is important to listen to what President Trump has been saying about Mars. The way to Mars
is to the Moon. The way to the Moon is through the Gateway.
The B330 is an exploration destined space station, and we are excited about its future.
Robert Bigelow