Space Exploration Glossary Explanation: Bigelow Aerospace
Bigelow Aerospace Revolutionising Space Living and Work
Bigelow Aerospace, a private aerospace company founded by Robert Bigelow in 1999, is leading the charge in revolutionising the way humans live and work in space. The company has made significant contributions to the field of space technology, with a focus on developing affordable and innovative solutions for space habitats.
In the late 1990s, Bigelow Aerospace was established with the goal of creating expandable space modules. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to make long-duration missions more feasible and affordable. The company's first major project was the Genesis I spacecraft, launched in 2006.
Bigelow Aerospace's work on expandable habitats has garnered attention from space agencies around the world. The company has partnered with NASA and other space agencies to test and demonstrate its technologies in space. One such example is the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), launched to the International Space Station in 2016, providing additional living and working space for astronauts.
The company's current projects and milestones focus primarily on the development and deployment of expandable space habitats designed for space exploration and commercial space station applications. Bigelow Aerospace has already launched two small free-flying modules demonstrating its expandable habitat technology, with one module attached to the International Space Station as a test facility.
As of mid-2025, Bigelow Aerospace is reportedly developing a full-sized expandable space station module intended to serve as a commercial orbital facility for human spaceflight and other uses. This project represents a crucial milestone that could provide an alternative to government-operated stations at a fraction of the cost.
For Bigelow’s commercial habitats to support human crews, they require reliable commercial crewed launch vehicles. Such launch capabilities are being supported by NASA and other entities through programs promoting private human spaceflight.
Bigelow Aerospace is recognised as a pioneer in the private space habitat sector and is expected to be a significant contributor to the growing private space market, which is forecasted to expand rapidly over the next decade. The company's vision is to help shape the future of commercial space travel with its vision for affordable and accessible space habitats.
Bigelow Aerospace's future plans include the development of larger and more advanced space habitats. The company envisions a future where private individuals can travel to space for tourism and research purposes. With its ongoing developments in expandable habitat technology and plans for commercial space stations, Bigelow Aerospace is certainly shaping the future of space exploration and commercial human space activities.
- Bigelow Aerospace's work in expandable space habitats is contributing to space exploration and commercial space station applications, pushing the boundaries of science and technology.
- The future plans for Bigelow Aerospace include developing larger and more advanced space habitats, aiming to make space travel accessible for private individuals, thereby revolutionizing space missions and space exploration.
