Atlas V401 Called Into Service For Inflatable Space
Habitats
It could be a big step
for a promising commercial space transport provider. Bigelow
Aerospace tells ANN the company and Lockheed Martin Commercial
Launch Services are engaged in discussions, and converging on terms
for Lockheed to supply Atlas V launch vehicles to provide crew and
cargo transportation services to a Bigelow-built space complex.
As ANN has reported, Bigelow
Aerospace already has successfully launched two of its Genesis
units, onboard Russian Dnepr boosters. Both successful launches
demonstrated the technology and feasibility of the company's
expandable space module technology. Bigelow states this experience
has formed the basis for a larger, low-cost, low-Earth orbit
commercial space complex, which is now proceeding on-schedule into
full-scale development... and the company will need a bigger
booster for that job.
The Bigelow architecture can be adapted for a variety of
missions and is designed to provide increased volume, enhanced
safety and reduced costs to the extent that space-based activities
will become more affordable for entrepreneurs, small businesses and
the public at large.
"I don't think anyone could deny the excellent record and
pedigree of the Atlas V401 as a quality choice to be upgraded to
carry human passengers," said company founder and President Robert
T. Bigelow.
"The Atlas V is ideal to provide commercial crew and cargo
transportation for this pioneering commercial space venture," said
David Markham, president of Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch
Services. "Bigelow Aerospace possesses an unparalleled vision and
entrepreneurial perspective that is crucial to truly opening the
commercial space market to a larger segment of the population.
Targeting the Atlas V for use demonstrates a commitment to
flight-proven domestic launch services to ensure success."
The Atlas booster has been used for decades to launch government
and commercial payloads to a wide range of orbits, and its
reliability record is at the top of the space industry. As the
simplest, most robust, and most reliable version of the Atlas V
family, the 401 configuration has been selected by Bigelow to
launch its space complex.
This launch vehicle, compliant with the Federal Aviation
Administration's stringent requirements for unmanned spaceflight,
will undergo modest system upgrades that will augment existing
safety features prior to flying the first passengers.
During the operational phase, which is currently planned to
begin in 2012, up to 12 missions per year are envisioned,
increasing as demand dictates.
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