Galaxy (module)
Encyclopedia
Galaxy is a canceled prototype space habitat
designed by the American
firm Bigelow Aerospace
, and was intended to be the third spacecraft launched by the company in their efforts to create a commercial space station
. Like other modules made by Bigelow Aerospace, Galaxy is based on the inflatable TransHab
design by NASA
, and was to be used for advanced systems testing before the company launched human-rated vehicles.
pathfinders and the full size BA 330 man-rated module. Sometime after 2004, the two Guardian flights were split into the Galaxy module and larger Sundancer
module, each testing progressively advanced systems. This Galaxy had twice the interior volume of the Genesis craft: 23 cubic metres (812.2 cu ft). In 2007, the parameters for Galaxy were again modified, with final specifications being for a spacecraft 4 metres (13.1 ft) in length, 3.3 metres (10.8 ft) in diameter and with 16.7 cubic metres (589.8 cu ft) of interior volume—45% greater than the Genesis modules. It was intended for launch in late 2008.
In August 2007, however, Bigelow Aerospace announced that due to rising launch costs (stated as three times more expensive than for previous launches) and the successful Genesis missions, the Galaxy spacecraft would not be launched. Instead, many of the module's systems—possibly the entire craft—will be constructed and ground tested, allowing Bigelow employees to gain further experience and potentially advance Sundancer' s schedule.
and attitude control
systems, a more damage-resistant interior air barrier and expanded communications bandwidth capabilities. Also on the manifest were larger, more efficient, articulated solar arrays and supporting battery systems, and flight qualifications would be performed on elements of the Environmental Control and Life Support System
(ECLSS). Galaxy would have included more efficient structural components, lending to easier upscaling to larger spacecraft, and was to carry a view port and access hatch, though no docking port would be included on this flight.
Space habitat
A space habitat is a space station intended as a permanent settlement rather than as a simple waystation or other specialized facility...
designed by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
firm Bigelow Aerospace
Bigelow Aerospace
Bigelow Aerospace is a North Las Vegas, Nevada space technology startup company that is pioneering work on expandable space station modules. Bigelow Aerospace was founded by Robert Bigelow in 1998...
, and was intended to be the third spacecraft launched by the company in their efforts to create a commercial space station
Space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
. Like other modules made by Bigelow Aerospace, Galaxy is based on the inflatable TransHab
Transhab
TransHab was a concept pursued by NASA to develop the technology for expandable habitats inflated by air in space. Specifically, TransHab was intended as a replacement for the already existing rigid International Space Station crew Habitation Module. When deflated, inflatable modules provide an...
design by NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
, and was to be used for advanced systems testing before the company launched human-rated vehicles.
Spacecraft history
Galaxy started life as twin spacecraft named Guardian which would have acted as 45% scale intermediates between the one-third size Genesis I & Genesis IIGenesis II
Genesis II is a 1973 American TV film created and produced by Gene Roddenberry and directed by John Llewellyn Moxey.It opens with the line, "My name is Dylan Hunt...
pathfinders and the full size BA 330 man-rated module. Sometime after 2004, the two Guardian flights were split into the Galaxy module and larger Sundancer
Sundancer
Sundancer is the proposed third prototype space habitat to be launched by Bigelow Aerospace and the first human-rated expandable module based on TransHab technology acquired from NASA...
module, each testing progressively advanced systems. This Galaxy had twice the interior volume of the Genesis craft: 23 cubic metres (812.2 cu ft). In 2007, the parameters for Galaxy were again modified, with final specifications being for a spacecraft 4 metres (13.1 ft) in length, 3.3 metres (10.8 ft) in diameter and with 16.7 cubic metres (589.8 cu ft) of interior volume—45% greater than the Genesis modules. It was intended for launch in late 2008.
In August 2007, however, Bigelow Aerospace announced that due to rising launch costs (stated as three times more expensive than for previous launches) and the successful Genesis missions, the Galaxy spacecraft would not be launched. Instead, many of the module's systems—possibly the entire craft—will be constructed and ground tested, allowing Bigelow employees to gain further experience and potentially advance Sundancer
Systems
A number of advanced and experimental systems were to be flight tested aboard Galaxy. Among the most notable upgrades were improved avionicsAvionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
and attitude control
Attitude dynamics and control
Spacecraft flight dynamics is the science of space vehicle performance, stability, and control. It requires analysis of the six degrees of freedom of the vehicle's flight, which are similar to those of aircraft: translation in three dimensional axes; and its orientation about the vehicle's center...
systems, a more damage-resistant interior air barrier and expanded communications bandwidth capabilities. Also on the manifest were larger, more efficient, articulated solar arrays and supporting battery systems, and flight qualifications would be performed on elements of the Environmental Control and Life Support System
Life support system
In human spaceflight, a life support system is a group of devices that allow a human being to survive in space.US government space agency NASA,and private spaceflight companies...
(ECLSS). Galaxy would have included more efficient structural components, lending to easier upscaling to larger spacecraft, and was to carry a view port and access hatch, though no docking port would be included on this flight.
See also
- Bigelow AerospaceBigelow AerospaceBigelow Aerospace is a North Las Vegas, Nevada space technology startup company that is pioneering work on expandable space station modules. Bigelow Aerospace was founded by Robert Bigelow in 1998...
- TransHabTranshabTransHab was a concept pursued by NASA to develop the technology for expandable habitats inflated by air in space. Specifically, TransHab was intended as a replacement for the already existing rigid International Space Station crew Habitation Module. When deflated, inflatable modules provide an...
- Genesis I
- Genesis IIGenesis IIGenesis II is a 1973 American TV film created and produced by Gene Roddenberry and directed by John Llewellyn Moxey.It opens with the line, "My name is Dylan Hunt...
- SundancerSundancerSundancer is the proposed third prototype space habitat to be launched by Bigelow Aerospace and the first human-rated expandable module based on TransHab technology acquired from NASA...
- BA 330
- BA 2100BA 2100BA-2100 or Olympus is a conceptual design for a larger, heavier, and more capable expandable space station module, or interplanetary human transport module, by Bigelow Aerospace...