Bigelow Aerospace | B330 (original) (raw)

Introducing, the game changing B330

B330 MODULE

The B330 (previously known as the Nautilus space complex module) is an expandable space habitat privately manufactured by Bigelow Aerospace. The design was evolved from NASA's TransHab habitat concept. B330 will have 330 cubic meters (12,000 cu ft) of internal space, hence its numeric designation. The craft will support zero-gravity research including scientific missions and manufacturing processes. Beyond its industrial and scientific purposes, however, it has potential as a destination for space tourism and a craft for missions destined for the Moon and Mars.

B330 SPECIFICATIONS

6

OCCUPANCY

22.0 ft / 6.7 m

APPROXIMATE LENGTH

330 m3

USUABLE VOLUME

20 years

LIFE SPAN

B330 FEATURES

The pressurized volume of a 20 ton B330 is 330m3, compared to the 106m3 of the 15 ton ISS Destiny module; offering 210% more habitable space with an increase of only 33% in mass.

RADIATION & BALLISTIC PROTECTION

The module provides radiation protection equivalent to or better than existing International Space Station (ISS) modules. When fully expanded, the hull thickness will be approximately 0.46m (18in) and offer ballistic protection superior to that currently afforded to ISS. The hull will also feature at least four large UV protection coated windows that will offer unparalleled earth viewing from orbit.

AVIONICS

The B330 features dual-redundant control thrusters that are refillable by the onboard environmental control system.

LAUNCH VEHICLES & MODULAR DESIGN

The B330 can be deployed by multiple launch vehicles and features an architecture designed with modular expansion in mind. A single B330 can be joined in orbit by multiple vehicles, in addition to other B330 and Bigelow Aerospace spacecraft.

COMMUNICATIONS

Bigelow Aerospace has a command center providing telemetry, orbital statistics and an onboard data logging system. There are currently four worldwide ground station locations with more in development.