Free Republic

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2009 – When future astronauts prepare to go to the moon or to a rendezvous with the International Space Station, their craft will look suspiciously familiar. Air Force pararescuemen deploy an inflatable ladder to reach the top hatch of NASA’s Orion crew module during testing at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, in Bethesda, Md., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Appearing to be a larger version of the Apollo spacecraft’s crew module, the new Orion spacecraft is historical in its conical design. “We know a...

A prototype of an inflatable space station module successfully expanded and deployed its solar panels after being launched into orbit, developer Bigelow Aerospace said. A Russian rocket lofted the Genesis II module into space on Thursday. The 15-foot-long module's flexible exterior was folded around an inner core for launch and had to expand from a diameter of about 6.2 feet to 8 feet. The solar panels also had to extend to supply power. Both actions were confirmed, said spokesman Chris Reed. Genesis II also transmitted pictures of itself in orbit. Bigelow Aerospace of Nevada is privately developing the technology with...