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Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM)

Quick Facts

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) is pictured attached to the Internatioal Space Station's Tranquility module.
The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) is pictured attached to the Internatioal Space Station’s Tranquility module.
NASA

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) is an expandable habitat technology demonstration for the International Space Station. Expandable habitats greatly decrease the amount of transport volume for future space missions. These “expandables” require minimal payload volume on a rocket, but expand after being deployed in space to potentially provide a comfortable area for astronauts to live and work. They also provide a varying degree of protection from solar and cosmic radiation, space debris, atomic oxygen, ultraviolet radiation and other elements of the space environment.

BEAM Fact Sheet (PDF 408 Kb)

Mass: 3,115.1 lbs
Length: 13.2 feet
Diameter: 10.6 feet
Living volume: 565 cubic feet

Mission Overview

Launch: 4/8/16
Installation: 4/16/16
Expansion: 5/28/16
Hatch Open: 6/6/16
Mission Extension: 12/4/17