Transhab
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Transhab was a concept pursued by NASA to develop the technology for expandable habitats inflated by air in space. Specifically, Transhab was intended as a replacement for the already existing rigid International Space Station crew Habitation Module. When deflated, inflatable modules provide an 'easier to launch' compact form. When fully inflated, Transhab would expand to 8.2 meters in diameter (compare to the 4.4 meter diameter of the Columbus ISS Module).[1]
The name of the project is a contraction of Transit Habitat reflecting the original intention to design an interplanetary vehicle to transfer humans to Mars.[2]
Considerable controversy arose during the Transhab development effort due to delays and increased costs of the ISS program. In fact, the National Space Society issued a policy statement recommending that NASA cease development of Transhab.[3] Finally in 2000, despite objections from The White House,[4] House Resolution 1654 was signed into law banning NASA from conducting further research and development of Transhab. An option to lease an inflatable habitat module from private industry was included in the bill.[5][6][7]
Since that time, the private company Bigelow Aerospace has purchased the rights to the patents developed by NASA and is pursuing a similar scheme for a private space station design.[8] The company has launched the Genesis I and Genesis II pathfinder spacecraft, with plans for additional experimental craft culminating in their BA 330 production model.
[edit] References
- ^ Kim Dismukes (curator) (2003-06-27). TransHab Concept. NASA.gov. Retrieved on 2007-06-10.
- ^ Kennedy, Kriss (2002). "Lessons from TransHab: An Architect's Experience". AIAA Space Architecture Symposium. AIAA 2002-6105.
- ^ National Space Society (NSS.org) (1999-06-10). "National Space Society Announces Policy on Transhab". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-06-10.
- ^ Office of the Press Secretary via SpaceRef.com (2000-10-30). "President signs H.R. 1654, the "National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2000."". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-06-10.
- ^ 106th Congress (2000-01-24). National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2000. Library of Congress. Retrieved on 2007-05-26.
- ^ Sensenbrenner, F James (2000-09-12). National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2000, Conference Report. Library of Congress. Retrieved on 2007-06-10.
- ^ Abbey, George W S (2001-02-27). Letter from NASA JSC Center Director: Actions Required to Address ISS Budget Challenges. NASA via SpaceRef.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-10.
- ^ Schrimpsher, Dan (2006-08-21). Interview: TransHab developer William Schneider. TheSpaceReview.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-10.
[edit] External links
- The Five-Billion-Star Hotel - Popular Science Article on Bigelow Aerospace.
- Bigelow Aerospace's official site
- Bigelow's inflatable spacecraft
- An Interview with Constance Adams One of the architects for Transhab
- Transhab and the Prehistory of its Architecture
- Congress OKs $28.8 Billion NASA Spending Bill
- Computer Animation and Inflation Test of the Original Transhab
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