Bigelow Aerospace

Bigelow Aerospace Products & Platforms

Genesis I

Genesis I was Bigelow Aerospace’s first expandable spacecraft demonstration, launched on July 12, 2006. The uncrewed spacecraft successfully deployed and expanded in low Earth orbit, demonstrating the operation of a flexible, pressurized spacecraft structure. The mission also tested onboard electronics, communications, and environmental systems. Genesis I provided orbital validation of expandable habitat technology and established the technical foundation for subsequent Bigelow spacecraft.

Genesis II

Genesis II was the company’s second expandable spacecraft, launched on June 28, 2007. It used a similar structural architecture to Genesis I but incorporated additional equipment, including a total of 22 internal and external cameras. The spacecraft successfully expanded and operated in orbit, with communications continuing for more than two years. Genesis II provided additional information about expandable spacecraft deployment, onboard systems, and long-duration operation.

BEAM — Bigelow Expandable Activity Module

BEAM is an expandable spacecraft module developed by Bigelow Aerospace in partnership with NASA. It launched aboard SpaceX CRS-8 in April 2016 and was attached to the International Space Station’s Tranquility module. The structure expanded to provide approximately 16 cubic meters of internal volume. NASA used the module to evaluate pressure integrity, structural performance, radiation exposure, and micrometeoroid protection. Following its initial demonstration, BEAM was repurposed for equipment storage aboard the station.

B330 Expandable Space Habitat

B330 was a proposed expandable spacecraft habitat designed to provide approximately 330 cubic meters of pressurized internal volume. The module was intended to accommodate up to six occupants and operate either independently or as part of a larger orbital station. Its architecture incorporated crew accommodations, life-support interfaces, docking systems, and spacecraft support equipment. B330 represented Bigelow Aerospace’s planned transition from technology demonstrations to commercial human-rated orbital habitats, but the spacecraft was never launched.

XBASE

XBASE was a proposed configuration of the B330 habitat intended for attachment to the International Space Station. The concept would have provided additional pressurized volume for research, commercial activities, and crew operations. It was designed to use the station’s existing infrastructure while demonstrating a larger expandable habitat. XBASE remained a proposed orbital module and was not installed on the International Space Station.

Olympus Expandable Habitat

Olympus was a large expandable habitat concept developed by Bigelow Aerospace for future orbital infrastructure. The proposed structure would have provided substantially more internal volume than the company’s earlier modules, supporting potential commercial stations and long-duration human spaceflight applications. The concept explored large-scale expandable spacecraft architecture but did not advance to a launched spacecraft or operational space station.

First Base Lunar Habitat

First Base was a proposed lunar surface habitat based on Bigelow Aerospace’s expandable structure technology. The concept included approximately 330 cubic meters of internal volume, crew quarters, two airlocks, storage facilities, and accommodations for surface equipment. Its proposed configuration could support four people for extended missions or six people for approximately 120 days. First Base was designed for lunar habitation and surface exploration infrastructure but remained a concept rather than a deployed lunar facility.

Bigelow Space Operations

Bigelow Space Operations was established to develop the commercial services associated with the company’s proposed orbital habitats. Its intended activities included customer relations, mission coordination, and management of future commercial space station operations. The business was associated with planned B330-based stations and private orbital facilities. These services did not become an established operational commercial space station network.

Bigelow Aerospace Applications

Bigelow Aerospace’s expandable spacecraft technology demonstrated how compact structures could provide additional pressurized volume after deployment in orbit. Its Genesis and BEAM missions contributed to research into spacecraft construction and long-duration habitation.

The company’s BEAM module supported research into pressure containment, environmental protection, structural behavior, and the use of expandable spacecraft modules aboard the International Space Station.

Its proposed B330 and Olympus habitats were designed for commercial orbital stations, astronaut accommodation, scientific research, and other activities requiring large pressurized spacecraft volumes.

Bigelow Aerospace also explored expandable structures for lunar bases and future deep-space missions. Although these projects were not deployed, the underlying technology remains relevant to spacecraft habitat design and space infrastructure research.