.
In this artist rendering released by Bigelow Aerospace, a model of the Genesis I spacecraft is shown. Hotel tycoon Robert Bigelow's dream of building an inflatable commercial space station takes a step toward reality with the launch the experimental spacecraft in Russia in July 2006. (AP Photo/Bigelow Aerospace)
John B. Carnett/PopSci.com
Former NASA engineer William Schneider (above) designed the modules that Las Vegas mogul Robert Bigelow hopes will constitute the world’s first orbital hotel.
The Five-Billion-Star Hotel
Need to get away from it all? Popular Science presents an exclusive tour of CSS Skywalker, an orbital resort that’s a lot closer to reality than you might think.
2 posted on
07/13/2006 8:14:11 PM PDT by
NormsRevenge
(Semper Fi --- Help the "Pendleton 8' and families -- http://www.freerepublic.com/~normsrevenge/)
To: NormsRevenge
The Pilot
To: NormsRevenge
To: NormsRevenge
I read the full article too. Very interesting. Over the years I had heard occasional mention of the inflatable space module concept, and here is where it ended up. As visionaries go, "Mr. Bigelow" sounds refreshingly hard-headed. Here's hoping his Genesis I test module holds up. It certainly sounds versatile. The really crucial question is: can private industry design a personnel shuttle that can make it ALL the way into orbit and back?
Does anybody know anything about current heat shield concepts? The old ablative heat shields are impractical on larger vehicles and I think we've had enough of those dainty ceramic shuttle tiles...
6 posted on
07/13/2006 10:27:10 PM PDT by
sinanju
To: NormsRevenge; AntiGuv
I like it! When can we move in?
7 posted on
07/13/2006 11:07:51 PM PDT by
EasySt
(Life is Precious, Live it Well...)
To: NormsRevenge
Very cool. I hope testing shows a promising future for the concept.
9 posted on
07/14/2006 1:06:13 AM PDT by
Flyer
(Don't question the questioner)
To: NormsRevenge
Our crack professional staff members eagerly await your arrival at our wonderful new hotel.....
11 posted on
07/14/2006 1:13:12 AM PDT by
Cincinatus
(Omnia relinquit servare Republicam)
To: NormsRevenge
12 posted on
07/14/2006 2:19:31 PM PDT by
Right Wing Assault
("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
To: NormsRevenge
15 posted on
07/15/2006 2:57:15 PM PDT by
Old Professer
(The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
To: RightWhale; Brett66; xrp; gdc314; anymouse; NonZeroSum; jimkress; discostu; The_Victor; ...
Congrats to Bigelow...
19 posted on
07/16/2006 4:35:40 PM PDT by
KevinDavis
(http://www.cafepress.com/spacefuture)
"...using a moon or other dead form..."
21 posted on
07/16/2006 9:25:35 PM PDT by
SunkenCiv
(updated my FR profile on Wednesday, June 21, 2006. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
To: NormsRevenge
Inflatable pilot, 'Otto' pilots inflatable space craft.
22 posted on
07/17/2006 3:57:06 AM PDT by
Vaquero
("An armed society is a polite society" Robert A. Heinlein(the moon is a harsh mistress))
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson
