# Bigelow Aerospace > American space technology company **Wikidata**: [Q859635](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q859635) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigelow_Aerospace) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bigelow-aerospace ## Summary Bigelow Aerospace is an American space technology company founded in 1999 by entrepreneur Robert Bigelow, focused on developing expandable space habitats for commercial and space exploration applications. The company is best known for its experimental Genesis modules and the BA 330 space habitat, which are designed to support long-term human habitation in space. ## Key Facts - **Founded**: January 1, 1999 - **Founder**: Robert Bigelow - **Headquarters**: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - **Industry**: Space technology and aerospace engineering - **Notable Products**: Genesis I, Genesis II, BA 330 (B330), Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) - **BA 330 (B330)**: - Also known as Nautilus - Designed as a permanent space habitat for long-term human settlement - Part of Bigelow Aerospace's commercial inflatable habitat program - **Genesis I**: - Launched July 12, 2006 - Experimental inflatable habitat - Mass: 1,360 kg; Length: 4.4 m; Diameter: 2.54 m; Volume: 11.5 m³ - **Genesis II**: - Launched June 28, 2007 - Follow-up to Genesis I, testing expandable technology - Same specifications as Genesis I - **BEAM (Bigelow Expandable Activity Module)**: - Launched April 8, 2016, aboard Falcon 9 - Attached to the International Space Station (ISS) on April 16, 2016 - Developed under a $17.8 million fixed-price contract with NASA - Expanded volume: 16 m³; Mass: 1,413 kg - Ownership transferred to NASA in December 2021 ## FAQs ### What is Bigelow Aerospace known for? Bigelow Aerospace is known for developing inflatable and expandable space habitats, including the BA 330 (Nautilus) and the experimental Genesis I and Genesis II modules. These habitats are designed for long-term human habitation in space and represent a shift toward commercial space infrastructure. ### When was Bigelow Aerospace founded? Bigelow Aerospace was founded on January 1, 1999, by entrepreneur Robert Bigelow, who also founded the hotel chain Bigelow Hotels. ### What are some of Bigelow Aerospace's major space projects? Bigelow Aerospace developed the Genesis I and Genesis II experimental habitats, the BA 330 (B330) space habitat, and the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), which was tested on the International Space Station. ### What is the BA 330 (B330)? The BA 330 (also called Nautilus) is a proposed commercial space habitat designed for permanent human settlement. It is part of Bigelow Aerospace’s inflatable habitat program and builds on the success of the Genesis I and II missions. ### What role did Bigelow Aerospace play in the BEAM project? Bigelow Aerospace developed the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) under a contract with NASA. BEAM was launched to the ISS in 2016 and served as a technology demonstrator for expandable habitats. Ownership of the module was transferred to NASA in 2021. ### What was the purpose of the Genesis I and Genesis II missions? Genesis I (launched 2006) and Genesis II (launched 2007) were experimental inflatable habitats designed to test the viability of expandable space modules for long-term human habitation. They provided critical data for future missions, including the BA 330 and BEAM. ## Why It Matters Bigelow Aerospace is a pioneering force in the commercialization of space habitats, demonstrating that private companies can lead in space exploration technology. Its inflatable habitat modules, such as Genesis I, Genesis II, and BEAM, have laid the groundwork for future deep-space missions and commercial space stations. By developing cost-effective, expandable habitats, Bigelow Aerospace has enabled new possibilities for sustainable human presence in space, influencing both private and public space initiatives. ## Notable For - **First private company to launch inflatable space habitats** (Genesis I and Genesis II) - **Development of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM)**, tested on the ISS - **Innovative use of expandable habitat technology**, reducing launch mass and increasing habitable volume - **Pioneering commercial space station concepts** like the BA 330 (Nautilus) - **Technology transfer to NASA**, including formal ownership of BEAM in 2021 - **Long-term testing of inflatable structures** in low Earth orbit and on the ISS ## Body ### History and Founding Bigelow Aerospace was founded on January 1, 1999, by entrepreneur Robert Bigelow, who also founded the Bigelow Hotel chain. The company was established to develop and commercialize inflatable space habitats, with a vision of enabling long-term human habitation in space. Bigelow Aerospace’s early focus was on building and launching experimental modules to test the viability of expandable structures in orbit. ### Key Projects and Modules #### Genesis I Genesis I, launched on July 12, 2006, was the first inflatable habitat developed by Bigelow Aerospace. It was designed to test the feasibility of expandable modules for future space settlements. The module had a mass of 1,360 kg, dimensions of 4.4 meters in length and 2.54 meters in diameter, and a volume of 11.5 cubic meters. It was launched using a Dnepr rocket and remains in low Earth orbit. #### Genesis II Genesis II, launched on June 28, 2007, was a follow-up to Genesis I. It shared the same technical specifications and was also placed in low Earth orbit. Both Genesis missions provided crucial data for the development of later modules, including the BA 330. #### Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) BEAM was developed under a contract with NASA and launched to the International Space Station on April 8, 2016, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It was expanded on May 28, 2016, and served as a technology demonstrator for inflatable habitats. The module was initially owned by Bigelow Aerospace but was transferred to NASA in December 2021. #### BA 330 (Nautilus) The BA 330, also known as B330 or Nautilus, is a proposed commercial space habitat designed for permanent human settlement. It builds on the technology tested in the Genesis and BEAM missions and is intended for long-term habitation in space. The module is inflatable, offering a larger habitable volume than traditional rigid modules. ### Technology and Innovation Bigelow Aerospace’s core innovation lies in its inflatable habitat technology, which allows for larger habitable volumes with reduced launch mass. This approach addresses key challenges in space colonization, such as cost, radiation shielding, and life support systems. The company’s modules have demonstrated the feasibility of commercial space habitats and influenced both private and public space programs. ### Commercial and Strategic Impact Bigelow Aerospace has played a transformative role in the commercialization of space. Its inflatable modules have provided a model for cost-effective, scalable space habitats, influencing major initiatives such as the International Space Station and NASA’s deep-space programs. The company’s work has shown that private enterprises can lead in space exploration and infrastructure development. ### Affiliations and Key Figures - **Founder**: Robert Bigelow, an American entrepreneur with a background in the hotel industry, founded the company and funded its early missions. - **Partnerships**: Bigelow Aerospace has collaborated with NASA on multiple projects, including the development and deployment of BEAM. The company also maintains a strong focus on commercial space ventures, including space station development and lunar habitat concepts. ### Legacy and Future Vision Bigelow Aerospace’s long-term goal is to enable permanent human presence in space through commercial habitats. Its technology has informed the development of future missions, including lunar and deep-space habitats. The company’s work continues to influence the direction of private and public space exploration, with the BA 330 and BEAM serving as key milestones in the evolution of commercial space infrastructure. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 2. [Source](http://bigelowaerospace.com/) 3. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/) 4. Quora 5. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Bigelow_Aerospace-5KZ6K4)