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Orbital Resort to Launch by 2010

Posted by samzenpus on from the gravity-free-service dept.

Neil Halelamien writes "Popular Science has a cover feature on self-made billionaire and space enthusiast Robert Bigelow (who's been mentioned before on Slashdot). The article has new info on Bigelow's plans to launch a 'CSS Skywalker' orbital resort by 2010 and sell space habitats to others, such as scientists, manufacturers, Hollywood producers, and countries. The habitats will be made of inflatable modules with multilayered kevlar-like walls. A prototype habitat will be launching on a SpaceX Falcon V next year. To help ensure cost-effective access to the station, Bigelow is also running the $50 million America's Space Prize. In the long run, he plans to use the modules as the basis for space yachts and moon cruisers."

2 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. It makes you wonder... by parasonic · · Score: 0, Redundant

    What happens if something goes wrong? How about a cloud of micrometeoriods zipping right through one of these inflatables? Could we be seeing our first recorded deaths in space?

  2. NASA already has by salemlb · · Score: 0, Redundant

    NASA looked into similar materials some time ago. In fact, I think this guy is using old NASA technology.