Expanding the Final Frontier: The Bigelow Aerospace Story and the Promise of Innovative Public-Private Collaborations for Space Exploration and Commercial Utilization

Paper number

IAC-10.E6.1.9

Author

Mr. Michael Gold, Bigelow Aerospace, United States

Year

2010

Abstract

This paper and presentation will begin by telling the Bigelow Aerospace story.  Specifically, the evolution of expandable habitat technolgy from conception at NASA to implementation by the private sector will be described.  

Next, the creation and operations of Bigelow Aerospace will be explored, including a description of the successfull Genesis missions and current programs.

Finally, the paper/presentation will end by describing the crew transportation dilema that Bigelow Aerospace faces, and how programs like the Commercial Crew Development Program hold the promise to create a new era of affordable, reliable human space launch satisfying both NASA's and the private sector's needs.

Abstract document

IAC-10.E6.1.9.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

(absent)