Future of Engineering

A privately-built space station prototype successfully launched into orbit from a russian missile base, kicking off the second test flight for the u.s. Firm bigelow aerospace. Genesis 2, an inflatable module laden with cameras, personal items and a space bingo game, rocketed spaceward atop a dnepr booster from a silo at yasny launch base, an active russian strategic missile base in the country's orenburg region. Genesis 2 is a near-twin of bigelow aerospace's Genesis 1 module, which launched in july 2006 and remains operational today, but carries a series of enhancements and additional cargo, the las vegas, nevada-based spaceflight firm has said. Both spacecraft are prototypes for future commercial orbital complexes that bigelow aerospace, and its founder and president robert bigelow, hope to offer for use by private firms and national space agencies.

Keywords: Bigelow aerospace, space bingo, dnepr booster, yasny launch base, genesis, crew-rated spacecraft, sundancer

Labels: Aerospace-Engineering