Genesis II (space complex module)

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This article or section contains information regarding a future spaceflight.
Due to the nature of the content, details may change dramatically as the launch date approaches and/or more information becomes available.

For the 1973 TV movie, see Genesis II.

An artist's conception by Bigelow Aerospace of Genesis II.

The experimental space habitat Genesis II is planned to be the second subscale pathfinder mission by Bigelow Aerospace to test and confirm systems to be used in the private company's future full-scale manned modules. Genesis II will be Bigelow Aerospace’s first true commercial flight, carrying items and pictures provided by paying customers as part of the "Fly Your Stuff" program.

The space complex module is planned to be launched atop a Dnepr rocket from the ISC Kosmotras spaceport in Yasny, Russia in a launch window that begins on April 19, 2007.^[1]

Genesis II follows Genesis I, which became the first privately funded space station module after it was launched into orbit on July 12, 2006. Like Genesis I, the new module has been built and funded completely by the Las Vegas-based Bigelow Aerospace without any governmental funding.

Genesis II will be identical in size and exterior to Genesis I: it will be 14.4 feet (4.4 meters) long and 5.25 feet (1.6 meters) in diameter at launch, but will be expanded to 8.3 feet (2.5 meters) in diameter when it attains orbit, with a final volume of 426 cubic feet (11.5 cubic meters).^[2]

Inside will be where Genesis II differs, with new systems to be tested that were not on the previous flight, as well as additional cameras, a biological experiment, a "space bingo" game and pictures and items that are part of the “Fly Your Stuff” program. While Genesis I had a total of 13 cameras, Genesis II will have 18, including nine aimed inside the interior of the module.

[edit] Fly Your Stuff

The public was able to purchase slots to provide photos, and other small mementos to be carried aboard the craft for a fee of US$295.^[3] The photos and items will be photographed and recorded by Genesis II’s interior cameras and displayed on the Bigelow Aerospace website. Should systems be functioning when Genesis II reaches orbit, paying customers will get access to pictures and video to share.^[4]

Bigelow has offered a money back guarantee to the Fly Your Stuff customers, where it will refund the purchase price if a recognizable image of the person’s item can’t be produced within 90 days of the start of the mission.