Blogs

In the image above, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft rotates on a spin table during a weight and center of gravity test May 24 inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An overhead crane carefully returned the spacecraft to its work stand May 26 (right) to continue prelaunch processing. OSIRIS-REx, stands for …

BEAM, the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, was successfully expanded Saturday beginning two years of tests to demonstrate the new expandable technology. BEAM was pressurized and expanded to its full volume, width and length this weekend after 25 pulses of air were introduced into the new module. BEAM leak checks are underway and will continue before …

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Airlock (JEMAL) NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer #8 (NRCSD#8) Deployment Operations: NRCSD#8 was transferred to the JEM Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) and 1 of 8 Silos was successfully deployed this morning via ground commanding. Additional deploys are planned for tonight at 7:45 PM and 11:00 PM CDT. Today is the first of three …

Pressurization of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) began at 4:34 p.m. EDT, and the eight tanks filled with air completed full pressurization of the module 10 minutes later at 4:44 p.m. BEAM’s pressure will be equalized with that of the International Space Station, where it will remain attached for a two-year test period. The …

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) was expanded to its full size at 4:10 p.m. EDT.  Expansion was completed as the International Space Station flew over the south Pacific at an altitude of 252 miles. The NASA and Bigelow Aerospace teams working with NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams will now begin the final step to open eight …

NASA Television coverage is again underway for the operations to resume shortly to add air to the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) attached to the International Space Station. NASA TV can be seen at https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv The module has been slowly expanding for the last three hours as NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams has introduced eight short bursts …

NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams has continued to add air to the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) in a series of short bursts during operations aboard the International Space Station today. A total of 44 seconds of air has been introduced during eight bursts. Flight controllers are monitoring the operation as the module slowly expands. BEAM …

NASA and Bigelow Aerospace are resuming operations to expand the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), currently attached to the International Space Station. NASA Television coverage is again underway and can be seen at https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv During operations this morning, NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams introduced four pulses of air into the BEAM during a total 34 seconds. Time …

NASA and Bigelow Aerospace are resuming operations to expand the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), currently attached to the International Space Station. NASA Television coverage is again underway and can be seen at https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv   During operations this morning, NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams introduced four pulses of air into the BEAM during a total 34 seconds. Time …

At 9:04 a.m. EDT, NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams began introducing air into the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) in a 22-second burst followed by an 8-second burst at 9:13 a.m. The teams are allowing the module to stabilize and expand in between bursts.  Flight controllers monitoring the operation have confirmed some expansion of the module …