May 27 2016
From The Space Library
MEDIA ADVISORY M16-061 NASA Updates Time for Today’s Media Briefing on Status of Bigelow Expandable Activity Module NASA has rescheduled today’s media teleconference, originally scheduled for noon EDT, to 2 p.m. for a discussion on the status of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) installed on the International Space Station. The teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website.
All other call-in details remain the same for media who are already registered to participate in the call. Media who have not already registered but would like to participate in the teleconference must contact Cheryl Warner at cheryl.m.warner@nasa.gov or Tabatha Thompson at tabatha.t.thompson@nasa.gov, or call 202-358-1100 for call details by 1 p.m.
NASA and Bigelow Aerospace engineering teams monitored the module overnight for structural changes after unsuccessful attempts to fully expand the module Thursday. They have been meeting this morning to discuss the next steps.
The BEAM is a technology demonstration to study expandable habitats in space. It was launched April 8 to the orbiting laboratory aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, and was installed April 16.
Expandable habitats are designed to take up less room on a spacecraft, but provide greater volume for living and working in space, once expanded. This first test of an expandable module will allow investigators to gauge how well the habitat performs and, specifically, how well it protects against solar radiation, space debris and the temperature extremes of space. The module is an example of NASA’s increased commitment to partnering with industry to enable the growth of the commercial use of space.
The International Space Station serves as the world's leading laboratory for conducting cutting-edge microgravity research, and is the primary platform for technology development and testing in space to enable human and robotic exploration of destinations beyond low-Earth orbit, including asteroids and Mars.
