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Bigelow Aerospace Deploys Genesis 2 Space Module
ThePopeLayton writes "Space.com is reporting that Bigelow Aerospace has successfully launched its Genesis 2 Space Module. This is significant as Bigelow Aerospace is one of a few private groups currently developing space technologies. The module was launched in a compact form and upon achieving a stable orbit will be inflated using compressed air. Bigelow's website is reporting 'the second experimental pathfinder spacecraft has been successfully launched and inserted into orbit.' The module has a variety of things on board: Scorpions, Hissing Cockroaches, Ant colonies, and even a Bingo game."
Scorpions? Cockroaches? Ants? Bingo? See this is what happens when scientist have too much free time on their hands... Bigelow Aerospace, July 2005: SCIENTIST1: "Wouldn't it be cool to send scorpions to space?" SCIENTIST2: "...And have them fight giant space-cockroaches!" SCIENTIST3: "And play bingo!" All: "This is so cool!!! *snort* *snort*"
The mutant space scorpions will have to have something to play, while they wait for re-entry.
I like you, Stuart. You're not like everyone else, here, at Slashdot.
They should have sent up this instead. It would have been more fitting.
s trial_(Atari_2600)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.T._the_Extra-Terre
http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
If humans plan to move boldly into space, private investment and development is critical. Imagine the westward expansion of the United States if it had only been performed by governmental institutions. Like most projects, it would have been slow, mismanaged, and innovation would have been stifled. Like wearing denim jeans? Thank Levi Strauss and his creativity during the Gold Rush. Now imagine no westward rushes - only slow, methodical probes such as the Lewis and Clark expedition. Lewis and Clark did a lot of knowledge of the Louisiana Purchase, but the percentage of territory actually explored was miniscule. Did private exploration lead to increased risk and loss of life. Defintitely, but that was a risk that those pioneers were willing to accept. Those who were scared of harm during the voyage stayed home.
How does this all relate to space? Simple - governmental programs by the US, UK, Europe, China, et al, likely will not be the place where true discovery is made. Once commercial interests develop space-based platforms, we will begin to see true innovation, and perhaps, affordable spacebased transit and colonization in the very-long term. It wasn't always pretty, but hard work and planning got people from cities to the frontier of the New World in the 1850's. I believe the same will happen with space.
At the same time, I was unable to find any mention of protection for the craft from micrometeorites and space debris. An inflatable structure will be at greater risk of catastrophic failure from micropunctures than would a traditional aluminum/titanium shell. It will be interesting as well to see what sorts of atmospheric pressure can be contained in the vacuum of space in inflatable structure and their airlock ideas. The psi differences will be drastic, and many inflatable materials do not respond well to the temperature swings of space.
khasim (12/9/06): In a blind taste test, more people preferred Coke over the Pepsi that I had previously pissed in.
Cockroaches, scorpions, ants and Bingo? Sounds like Phoenix not space. What are they trying to do establish a new place to send all the baby boomers when they get old?
One might ask why they are doing this. We've been launching balloons into orbit for a long time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloon_satellite These guys are moving toward building a space hotel. Tourists could pay zillions of dollars to visit the space hotel and they would make huge profits. To get the money they need to build the space hotel they need credibility. Launching a couple of balloons is supposed to give them the credibility they need with investors.
Technically, the space hotel people's accomplishment is not as good as what the radio amateurs have done. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMSAT It is more a publicity stunt than scientific advance.
Well, the occupants won't necessarily be governed by any terrestrial laws (maybe international ones?), so I'd guess probably yes.
--- Bwah?
Scorpions on a Spaceship - where's Samuel L Jackson when you need him?
Does it have hookers? And blackjack?
Well... sort of. If your idea of hookers is venomous exoskeletal arachnids with claws then you're in luck! Just bear in mind that "getting a piece of tail" will have a different meaning for her than it will for you.
Bingo might seem like a poor substitute for blackjack, but this is Space Bingo! Anything is better with "Space" affixed to its name! Think about it; Which would you rather drink- "beer" or "Space Beer"!
Boundless Expansion, Self-Transformation, Dynamic Optimism, Intelligent Technology, Spontaneous Order- BEST DO IT SO!