. 24/7 Space News .
Bigelow And Lockheed To Study Using Atlas 5 For Manned Launches

Atlas V (pictured) Could Be Used to Launch Passengers to Bigelow-Built Commercial Space Complexes
by Staff Writers
Las Vegas NV (SPX) Sep 25, 2006
Lockheed Martin has entered into an agreement with Bigelow Aerospace to pursue the potential of launching passengers on human-qualified Atlas V rockets. The destination would be a Bigelow-built space complex assembled from expandable modules. Bigelow's first launch of a prototype expandable module, Genesis I, took place on July 12th atop a Dnepr rocket from Russia.

Bigelow Aerospace, located in Las Vegas, NV, plans to provide a low-cost, low-Earth orbit (LEO) human-qualified space complex that is accessible to the private sector for commercial activities. The Bigelow architecture can be adapted for a variety of missions. The Bigelow platform is being designed to provide increased volume, enhanced safety, and reduce costs to the extent that space-based activities will become affordable for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and the public at large.

"We need to encourage creativity, imagination, and innovation in order to bring the benefits of space development to fruition, not just for the privileged few, but for all of humanity," said visionary company founder and President Robert T. Bigelow.

Bigelow Aerospace Corporate Counsel Mike Gold echoed these sentiments, "Prohibitive costs have kept the private sector out of space and relegated true space development to the status of an unfulfilled dream. Our overarching goal at Bigelow Aerospace is to radically reduce these costs, thereby opening the frontier of space to everyone.

"However, the enormous expense of transporting crew and cargo to and from LEO remains a significant barrier. We look forward to working with Lockheed Martin to explore the potential of the Atlas V to become the transportation system that will open up this new frontier for all of us."

"LM Atlas V is one of the most reliable launch vehicles serving the expendable Launch vehicle markets today. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the entrepreneurial and innovative company of Bigelow aerospace to evaluate the market of space tourism and research to determine if Atlas could be a part of this potential new market area." said George Sowers, Atlas Business Development and Advanced Programs Director.

Initially, the two companies will focus on exploring the technical requirements for the human-qualified launch services needed to transport commercial crew and cargo to expandable orbital space complexes. Bigelow and Lockheed Martin will examine the production and supply of Atlas rockets and comprehensive data describing flight safety and performance. Potential business models and business plans will also be discussed. Following this initial stage, each company will evaluate the feasibility of proceeding with a program to develop a human-qualified Atlas to meet the expected demand.

Atlas is presently used to launch government and commercial payloads to a wide range of orbits. Its reliability record is at the top of the space industry.

A potential passenger capsule for Bigelow would likely be launched aboard the Atlas V 401 configuration, the simplest, most robust, and most reliable version of the Atlas V. An Atlas launch vehicle compliant with the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Commercial Space Transportation ("FAA-AST") requirements could demonstrate human-qualified system upgrades on a commercial or government mission prior to flying the first passengers.

Those demonstrated upgrades will significantly increase the understanding and characterization of Atlas system performance and ultimately enhance reliability.

Atlas boosters and Centaur upper stages are built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company at facilities in Denver, CO; Harlingen, Texas; and San Diego, CA Atlas launch operations are conducted at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA.

Related Links
Bigelow Aerospace
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Boeing To Develop Advanced Thermal Protection System For Orion Spacecraft
St. Louis MO (SPX) Sep 21, 2006
The Boeing Company has received a NASA contract to design and develop a thermal protection system (TPS) for the Orion crew exploration vehicle -- America's next generation spacecraft that will carry astronauts to the International Space Station and the moon. The 16-month firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fee contract has a maximum value of approximately $14 million including all priced options.







  • Ansari Savoring Every Moment In Orbit
  • Iran Daily Attacks Coverage Of 'Rich Iranian' In Space
  • NASA Requests Proposals For Exploration Park Developer
  • Ansari Boards Space Station For Eight Day Space Adventure At ISS

  • Russia Hopes To Launch Craft To Mission Mars Moon Phobos In 2009
  • Opportunity Set To Explore Victoria Crater As Mars Robot Rovers Power On
  • Managing Mars Missions
  • Mars Society To Hold University Mars Rover Competition

  • Arianespace CEO Calls For New Pricing Regime
  • LM Announces Sale Of Its Interests In International Launch Services And LKEI
  • Call For Fair Pricing Policies In The Commercial Launch Services Industry
  • Eutelsat Confirms Sea Launch Agreements For 2008-9

  • New Technology Helping Foster The 'Democratization Of Cartography'
  • SAIC Becomes Authorized Supplier For Geospatial-Intelligence Solutions
  • DLR And Astrium Sign Contract For German Satellite TanDEM-X
  • Raytheon Completes NPOESS Segment Acceptance Testing Ahead of Schedule

  • Does The Atmosphere Of Pluto Go Through The Fast-Freeze
  • Changing Seasons On The Road Trip To Planet Nine
  • Surprises From The Edge Of The Solar System
  • Dwarf Planet That Caused Huge Row Gets An Appropriate Name

  • Champagne Supernova Challenges Ideas about How Supernovae Work
  • New Evidence Links Stellar Remains To Oldest Recorded Supernova
  • Astronomers Trace The Evolution Of The First Galaxies In The Universe
  • Scientists Detect New Kind Of Cosmic Explosion

  • India Space Agency Dreams Of Lunar Ice Mines
  • New Lunar Meteorite Found In Antarctica
  • Russia And China Could Sign Moon Exploration Pact In 2006
  • SMART-1 Impact Simulated In A Laboratory Sand-Box

  • Surrey Delivers On-Board GPS Receiver To SpaceDev
  • Latest GPS Bird Ready For Launch From Cape Canaveral
  • SSC Gets Galileo RF License Until 2037
  • Launch Of Second Galileo Test Satellite Delayed Until 2007

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement