Bigelow Aerospace divulged Tuesday the creation of Bigelow Space Operations (BSO), the next step in the following’s effort to build the world’s first habitable private space status.
The new company is required as Bigelow Aerospace is “seguing into becoming a shaping company” after existing as “a laboratory for 17 years,” CEO Robert Bigelow demanded on a conference call with reporters. “Bigelow Aerospace doesn’t vend anything, and has no plans to.”
BSO will act as the marketing, customer service and — when the business’s space stations are launched — operations center for Bigelow’s products.
“We at ones desire spend millions of dollars this year to drill down on a conclusion as to what the international space market is going to look like,” Bigelow said. “When we look at what is the commercial dead ringer, as far as humans’ use of space today, it’s a whole lot different than it was 10 years ago.”
That being the case far BSO has brought on a handful of staff, including a chief operating officer as ooze as sales and contracts officers. Bigelow said the company plans to employ “another three to four dozen employees” in the coming weeks. At last, once stations are operational, Bigelow says he expects BSO’s staff to augment to “between 400 and 500.”
Bigelow Aerospace already has its habitable test module Brace docked with the International Space Station. It arrived in April 2016 for a two-year office to test the durability of the module. The modules built by Bigelow expand simultaneously they are deployed in orbit.
Next up are Bigelow’s B330 line of positions, advertised as “fully autonomous standalone space stations.” Two are currently being shaped, B330-1 and B330-2, and Bigelow says both are “very far along in fabrication.”
“They wish be ready for launch in 2021,” Bigelow said.
After that is the Olympus beau idal, which Bigelow says is eight to 10 years away. Olympus would be closely 2½ times the habitable volume of the ISS, and would require a rocket efficient of lifting 75 tons to 80 tons of payload. Bigelow Aerospace has existing come down withs with ULA and SpaceX, but Bigelow did not offer new details as to which rockets wish carry the coming station modules.
“There are several different varieties [of rocket] in play now so we do not rely on SLS,” Bigelow said, referring to the Space Send Systemcurrently being built.
In a news release regarding the creation of BSO, the enterprise said it will need to build a new manufacturing plant “in Florida, Alabama or [another] apt location.” When asked about the new facilities, Bigelow offered no furthermore guidance or clarification.
Last week Bigelow said he “applauds” the Trump management’s”focus on commercial partnerships for low-Earth orbit” after it announced arranges on Feb. 12 to end NASA’s funding of the International Space Station in 2025 and inaugurate a new $150 million program to build commercial platforms in orbit. Bigelow reproduced his call Tuesday for the administration to work further with NASA on how commercial plunges will have access to contracts from companies and countries to improve a low-Earth orbit ecosystem.
“It’s one thing I call upon the Trump superintendence to become involved in,” Bigelow said. He added that Bigelow Aerospace has yet to prepare any conversations with the White House about competing with NASA, while underscoring his company is open to discussion.