- Galaxy (module)
Infobox Space station
station = Galaxy
station_
station_image_size = 194px
station_image_caption = Logo for the "Galaxy" module program
crew = Unmanned
status = Canceled
mass =
length = 4.0 m (13.1 ft)
diameter = 3.3 m (10.8 ft)
volume = 16.7 m³ (589.75 ft³)
stats_ref = cite web |url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/out_there/developing_a_galaxy.php |title=Developing a Galaxy |work=BigelowAerospace.com |first=Dan |last=Cohen |accessdate=2007-12-20 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5TZsvEzlh |archivedate=2007-11-23]"Galaxy" (previously "Guardian") is a canceled prototype
space habitat designed by the American firmBigelow Aerospace , and was intended to be the third spacecraft launched by the company in their efforts to create a commercialspace station . Like other modules made by Bigelow Aerospace, "Galaxy" is based on the inflatableTranshab design byNASA , and was to be used for advanced systems testing before the company launched human-rated vehicles.pacecraft history
"Galaxy" started life as twin spacecraft named "Guardian" which would have acted as 45% scale intermediates between the one-third size "
Genesis I " & "Genesis II " pathfinders and the full size "BA 330 " man-rated module.cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0409/27bigelow/ |title=Bigelow's Gamble |work=Aviation Week "via" Spaceflight Now |date=2004-09-27 |accessdate=2007-08-19] Sometime after 2004, the two "Guardian" flights were split into the "Galaxy" module and larger "Sundancer " module, each testing progressively advanced systems. This "Galaxy" had twice the interior volume of the "Genesis" craft: 23.0 m³ (812.2 ft³).cite news |url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/060721_bigelow_genesis-1.html |title=Bigelow Aerospace's Genesis-1 Performing Well |work=Space.com |first=Leonard |last=David |date=2006-07-21 |accessdate=2007-08-19] In 2007, the parameters for "Galaxy" were again modified, with final specifications being for a spacecraft 4.0 m (13.1 ft) in length, 3.3 m (10.8 ft) in diameter and with 16.7 m³ (589.75 ft³) of interior volume—45% greater than the "Genesis" modules. It was intended for launch in late 2008.cite news |url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/070628_genesis2_update.html |title=Bigelow's Second Orbital Module Launches Into Space |work=Space.com |first=Tariq |last=Malik |coauthors=and Leonard David |date=2007-06-28 |accessdate=2007-06-30]In August 2007, however, Bigelow Aerospace announced that due to rising launch costs (stated as three times more expensive than for previous launchescite news |url=http://www.lasvegasnow.com/global/story.asp?s=6943443 |title=I-Team: Bigelow Aerospace Makes Giant Leap Towards Commercial Space Travel |work=Las Vegas Now |first=George |last=Knapp |date=
2007-08-17 |accessdate=2007-08-19] ) and the successful "Genesis" missions, the "Galaxy" spacecraft would not be launched. Instead, many of the module's systems–possibly the entire craft–will be constructed and ground tested, allowing Bigelow employees to gain further experience and potentially advance "Sundancer"' s schedule.cite news |url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/news/?Special_Announcement |title=Special Announcement |work=BigelowAerospace.com |first=Robert |last=Bigelow |date=2007-08-13 |accessdate=2007-12-20]ystems
A number of advanced and experimental systems were to be flight tested aboard "Galaxy". Among the most notable upgrades were improved
avionics and attitude control systems, a more damage-resistant interior air barrier and expanded communications bandwidth capabilities. Also on the manifest were larger, more efficient, articulated solar arrays and supporting battery systems, and flight qualifications would be performed on elements of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). "Galaxy" would have included more efficient structural components, lending to easier upscaling to larger spacecraft, and was to carry a view port and access hatch, though no docking port would be included on this flight.References
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