Bigelow is nearing an agreement with Lockheed Martin to buy launch services on a to-be-human-rated Atlas V 401 launch vehicle. It is a very reliable rocket, lacking the added complication of solid rocket boosters of the larger Atlas V's. The smallest Atlas V, the 401 is capable of lifting 12,500 kg to low Earth orbit.
For comparison, the Gemini capsule, which held two people, weighed 3,400
kg and the new NASA Orion capsule design, which can carry six people, will weigh at least 18,500 kg when fully tricked out for the moon. (think 1968 Beetle vs. Cadillac Escalade...)
The Atlas V 401 has had five successful launches since its first launch in 2002, including the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the New Horizons mission.
This means there are three parallel, funded development paths for human orbital transportation in the United States: Atlas V, Falcon 9 (SpaceX) and the Ares I (NASA). Bigelow's release claims the human rated Atlas V will begin operations in 2012.
According to a New Scientist article, experts say there are no major technical or bureaucratic hurdles to human rating the Atlas V 401.
Last fall Bigelow talked about offering a contract for $760 million to anyone who could provide eight crewed launches to their future orbiting facilities.
Bigelow Aerospace has already successfully launched two scale versions, Genesis I and Genesis II, of their inflatable space station module Sundancer. Sundancer is based on NASA developed technology and designs. Bigelow is currently planning to launch the full scale "Sundancer" and begin offering space on their station commercially as soon as the system is built, tested and launched.
The lack of an available, affordable way for customers to get to the orbiting platform however is a problem for their business plan, hence Bigelow's interest in spurring development of a commercial orbital vehicle.
Bigelow Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Converging on Terms for Launch Services [Bigelow Aerospace]
No major hurdles to upgrade Atlas V rockets for people [New Scientist]
See Also:
- Bigelow Talks About Decision to Launch Human Suitable 'Sundancer...
- Space Symposium: Bigelow Puts Price on Space -- $15 Million
- Space Symposium: Inflatable Base Camp, Lighter Suits for the Moon
Image: NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter launch
