Overview
- Describes the technology of inflatable modules and how establishing these habitats in orbit could generate an orbital economy
- Explains the details of one of the foremost emerging private space exploration ventures
- Offers informed speculation on possible lunar and Martian bases that the future may hold
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books (PRAXIS)
Part of the book sub series: Space Exploration (SPACEE)
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
Table of contents (8 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
Here for the first time you can read:
- how a space technology start-up is pioneering work on expandable space station modules
- how Robert Bigelow licensed the TransHab idea from NASA, and how his company developed the technology for more than a decade
- how, very soon, a Bigelow expandable module will be docked with the International Space Station.
At the core of Bigelow's plan is the inflatable module technology. Tougher and more durable than their rigid counterparts, these inflatable modules are perfectly suited for use in the space, where Bigelow plans to link them together to form commercial space stations. This book describes how this new breed of space stations will be built and how the link between Bigelow Aerospace, NASA and private companies can lead to a new economy—a space economy. Finally, the book touches on Bigelow's aspirations beyond low Earth orbit, plans that include the landing of a base on the lunar surface and the prospect of missions to Mars.
Reviews
“Robert Bigelow has made a very large fortune in property and hotel chains. … This excellent book is a great primer on the man, his company and a myriad of ideas all the way to bases on Mars.” (Spaceflight, Vol. 58 (3), 2016)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Bigelow Aerospace
Book Subtitle: Colonizing Space One Module at a Time
Authors: Erik Seedhouse
Series Title: Springer Praxis Books
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05197-0
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-05196-3Published: 13 October 2014
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-05197-0Published: 25 September 2014
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIX, 182
Number of Illustrations: 7 b/w illustrations, 59 illustrations in colour
Topics: Aerospace Technology and Astronautics, Popular Science, general, Innovation/Technology Management