Genesis I
Image from one of the seven exterior cameras on Genesis I
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| Station statistics | |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 2006-029A |
| SATCAT № | 29252 |
| Crew | Unmanned |
| Launch | 12 July 2006, 14:53:30 UTC |
| Launch pad | Dombarovskiy base, Russia |
| Reentry | ≈2019 |
| Mission status | Retired, on orbit |
| Mass | 1,360 kg (3,000 lb) |
| Length | 4.4 m (14 ft) |
| Diameter | 2.54 m (8.3 ft) |
| Pressurised volume | 11.5 m3 (410 cu ft) |
| Atmospheric pressure | 51.7 kPa (7.50 psi) |
| Perigee | 490.6 km (304.8 mi) |
| Apogee | 547.4 km (340.1 mi) |
| Orbital inclination | 64.5° |
| Orbital speed | 7.6 km/s (4.7 mi/s) |
| Orbital period | 95 min |
| Orbits per day | 15.16 rev/day |
| Orbit epoch | 20 February 2016, 23:17:12 UTC |
| Days in orbit | 3893 |
| No. of orbits | 52863 |
Genesis I is an experimental space habitat designed and built by the private American firm Bigelow Aerospace and launched in 2006. It was the first module to be sent into orbit by the company, and is testing various systems, materials and techniques related to determining the viability of long-term inflatable space structures. Such structures, including this module and others built by Bigelow Aerospace, are based on the NASA TransHab design, which provides increased interior volume at a reduced launch diameter and potentially reduced mass compared to traditional rigid structures.
The spacecraft remains in orbit and is operational, demonstrating the long-term viability of expandable habitat technology in low-Earth orbit.
Genesis I was launched on 12 July 2006 at 14:53:30 UTC aboard an ISC Kosmotras Dnepr rocket, launched from Dombarovskiy missile base near Yasniy, Russia. Spacecraft control was transferred to Bigelow Aerospace at 15:08 UTC after a successful orbital insertion. Designed as a one-third scale model of the full size BA 330, when in orbit the main body of the craft measures 4.4 meters (14.4 ft) long and 2.54 meters (8.3 ft) in diameter, with an interior habitable volume of 11.5 cubic meters (406.1 cu ft). As part of the expandable design, however, the module launched with a diameter of only 1.6 meters (5.2 ft), inflating to its full size after entering orbit. The expansion process took approximately ten minutes.
Genesis I suffered a major radiation event in December 2006 as a result of a "solar storm". Mission controllers were able to restart the system in time, though the situation was described as being "one fault away from the spacecraft being dead." Despite this, no lasting damage appears to have occurred and the spacecraft was operating in "excellent shape" as of March 2007[update].
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