View source for Genesis I

{{Short description|Experimental uncrewed space habitat}}
{{about|the space station module|the NASA sample-return mission|Genesis (spacecraft)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name               = ''Genesis I''
| image              = GenesisI.jpeg
| image_caption      = Image from one of the seven exterior cameras on ''Genesis I''
| image_size         = 300px
| mission_type       = Experimental uncrewed space station
| operator           = [[Bigelow Aerospace]]
| COSPAR_ID          = 2006-029A
| SATCAT             = 29252
| mission_duration   = 6 months (planned)<br/>2.5 years (achieved)<br/>{{time interval|12 July 2006|show=ymd}} (in orbit)
| spacecraft         = Space station
| spacecraft_type    = Genesis
| manufacturer       = [[Bigelow Aerospace]]
| launch_mass        = {{cvt|1360|kg}} <ref name="msnbc397"/>
| dimensions         = {{cvt|4.40|m}} in length<br/>{{cvt|2.54|m}} in diameter<br/>{{cvt|11.50|m3}} of volume<br/>{{cvt|51.70|kPa}} interior pressure <ref name="BAaboutG1"/>
| power              = <!-- [[watt]]s -->
| launch_date        = 12 July 2006, 14:53:36 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref name="jsr-launchlog">{{cite web|url=https://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Jonathan's Space Report Launch Log |website=Planet4589.org|access-date=25 December 2020}}</ref>
| launch_rocket      = [[Dnepr (rocket)|Dnepr]]
| launch_site        = [[Dombarovsky Air Base|Dombarovsky]], [[Russia]]
| launch_contractor  = [[Yuzhmash]]
| disposal_type      = Reentry (expected) <ref name="space060721"/>
| deactivated        = Retired, on orbit <ref name="2_5y">{{cite tweet|number=685944661446275072|user=BigelowSpace|title=@ras391 We hoped to receive 6 months of uncorrupted data from Genesis I &amp; II. We were in contact for over 2.5 years!<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |accessdate=21 February 2016|date=9 January 2016}}</ref>
| orbit_reference    = [[Geocentric orbit]]<ref name="heavens-above">{{cite web|url=http://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=29252|title=Genesis 1 - Orbit|publisher=Heavens-Above|last=Peat|first=Chris |date=24 December 2020|access-date=25 December 2020}}</ref>
| orbit_regime       = [[Low Earth orbit]]
| orbit_periapsis    = {{cvt|470|km}}
| orbit_apoapsis     = {{cvt|480|km}}
| orbit_inclination  = 64.52°
| orbit_period       = 94.84 minutes
| apsis              = gee
| programme          = Genesis program
| previous_mission   = 
| next_mission       = [[Genesis II (space habitat)|Genesis II]]
}}

'''''Genesis I''''' is an experimental [[space habitat]] designed and built by the private American firm [[Bigelow Aerospace]] and launched in 2006. It was the first module to be sent into orbit by the company, and tested various systems, materials and techniques related to determining the viability of long-term [[inflatable space habitat|inflatable space structures]] through 2008. Such structures, including this module and others built by Bigelow Aerospace, were similar to the 1990s [[NASA]] expandable [[TransHab]] design, which aimed to provide increased interior volume at a reduced launch diameter and potentially reduced mass compared to traditional rigid structures.

The on-board systems transmitted data for 2.5 years. The spacecraft remains in orbit, allowing researchers to continue to monitor the long-term viability of its expandable space structure.

== Spacecraft history ==
''Genesis I'' was launched on 12 July 2006 at 14:53:36 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]<ref name="jsr-launchlog"/> aboard an [[ISC Kosmotras]] [[Dnepr (rocket)|Dnepr launch vehicle]], launched from [[Dombarovsky (air base)|Dombarovsky missile base]] near [[Yasny, Orenburg Oblast]], [[Russia]]. Spacecraft control was transferred to Bigelow Aerospace at 15:08 UTC after a successful orbital insertion.<ref name="RSWdnepr1"/> Designed as a one-third scale model of the full size ''[[BA 330]]'', when in orbit the main body of the craft measures {{cvt|4.40|m}} long and {{cvt|2.54|m}} in diameter, with an interior habitable volume of {{cvt|11.5|m3}}. As part of the expandable design, however, the module launched with a diameter of only {{cvt|1.60|m}}, inflating to its full size after entering orbit.<ref name="BAnews070628-1"/> The expansion process took approximately ten minutes.<ref name="space060721"/>

''Genesis I'' suffered a major radiation event in December 2006 as a result of a "[[Geomagnetic storm|solar storm]]". Mission controllers were able to restart the system in time, though the situation was described as being "one fault away from the spacecraft being dead". Despite this, no lasting damage occurred and the spacecraft was continuing to operate in "excellent shape" in March 2007.<ref name="space070326"/>

The spacecraft completed its 10,000th orbit on 8 May 2008, some 660 days after launch. By that time, ''Genesis I'' had traveled more than 430 million kilometers (270 million miles), the equivalent of going to the Moon and back 1,154 times, and had taken more than 14,000 images, including images of all seven continents. Its electrical equipment had been continuously powered since it first became operational.<ref name="space080509"/>

Although the design life of the spacecraft avionics was only six months, the avionics systems worked flawlessly for "over two and a half years" before failure. The data received after the first six months was a re-verification of the validation test suite that was accomplished during the design life period.<ref name="mab20111201"/>

In February 2011, Bigelow reported that the vehicle had "performed flawlessly in terms of pressure maintenance and thermal control-environmental containment".<ref name="8nn20110204"/>

The orbital life was originally estimated to be 12 years, with a gradually decaying orbit resulting in [[Atmospheric entry|re-entry]] into the [[atmosphere of Earth]] and burn-up expected. Its operations lasted approximately 2.5 years, significantly longer than its expected 6-month mission duration.<ref name="2_5y"/> {{As of|2025}}, the spacecraft remains in orbit.<ref name="heavens-above"/>

== Systems ==
''Genesis I'' is outfitted with eight [[Gallium arsenide|GaAs]] [[Photovoltaic system|solar panel arrays]], four on each end of the craft, which produced 1000 watts total power<ref name="SQgen"/> and maintained a 26 [[volt]] battery charge.<ref name="LS060712"/> It carries thirteen cameras, seven externally to monitor the physical condition of the spacecraft, such as the outer shell and solar arrays, and six internally to photograph the various objects and experiments.<ref name="BAaboutG1"/> Internal systems established an atmospheric pressure of {{cvt|51.7|kPa}}<ref name="LS060713"/> and used passive thermal control to keep temperatures at an average of {{cvt|26|°C}},<ref name="LS060712"/> with observed limits of approximately {{cvt|4.5|°C}} and {{cvt|32|°C}}.<ref name="BAperfG1"/> ''Genesis I'' used a single gas tank for its inflation system, and [[Attitude control (spacecraft)|guidance]]/stabilization control is performed using a network of torque rods, [[Sun sensor]]s, [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] and a [[magnetometer]].<ref name="BAdiffII"/>

== Payload ==
Aside from the various systems and monitoring equipment, ''Genesis I'' is orbiting with a wide variety of cargo. Bigelow employees contributed numerous photographs, toys, cards and other items, which were seen in still images floating around the cabin. Bigelow also placed a life sciences experiment on board, which contained four [[Madagascar hissing cockroach]]es (''Gromphadorhina portentosa'') and approximately 20 so-called [[Mexican jumping bean]]s, which are seeds containing the live larva of the moth ''[[Cydia saltitans]]''.<ref name="nature20060808"/><ref name="space070628"/> In addition, the company allowed [[NASA]] to include a prototype for the GeneSat series of [[Small satellite|nanosatellites]]. This device, called GeneBox, tested the systems and procedures that will be used on future GeneSat missions. While GeneBox carries no living organisms, future flights will use sensors and optics to measure how weightlessness affects [[gene]]s and the genetic activity of [[cell (biology)|cells]] and [[microorganism|microscopic life]].<ref name="nasa52ar"/><ref name="SR1147"/>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[Galaxy (spacecraft)]], a space habitat concept by Bigelow
* [[Genesis II (space habitat)|Genesis II]]
* [[Inflatable space habitat]]
* [[Sundancer]], a space habitat concept by Bigelow
* [[Timeline of private spaceflight]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="BAaboutG1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/genesis-1-specs.php|title=Genesis I Specs|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|access-date=11 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024093802/http://bigelowaerospace.com/genesis-1-specs.php|archive-date=24 October 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="RSWdnepr1">{{cite web|url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/dnepr.html|title=Russia inaugurates new space launch site|publisher=Russian Space Web|date=17 July 2006|access-date=30 June 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="space060721">{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/2649-bigelow-aerospace-genesis-1-performing.html|title=Bigelow Aerospace's Genesis-1 Performing Well|publisher=Space.com|first=Leonard|last=David |date=21 July 2006|access-date=30 June 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="msnbc397">{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18142397|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203211005/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18142397/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2013|title=Private space station test delayed till May|work=NBC News|first=Alan|last=Boyle|date=17 April 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="LS060713">{{cite news|url=http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2006/07/13/bigelows-genesis-1-performing-well/|title=Bigelow's Genesis-1 Performing Well|publisher=Live Science|first=Leonard|last=David |date=13 July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122111/http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2006/07/13/bigelows-genesis-1-performing-well/|archive-date=29 September 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="BAnews070628-1">{{cite news|url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/news/?Genesis_II_Calls_Home|title=Genesis II Calls Home, Says It's Doing Fine|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|date=28 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206080318/http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/news/?Genesis_II_Calls_Home|archive-date=6 February 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="space070326">{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/3606-bigelow-aerospace-sets-business-trajectory.html|title=Bigelow Aerospace Sets a Business Trajectory|publisher=Space.com|first=Leonard|last=David |date=26 March 2007|access-date=6 August 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="space080509">{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/5328-private-space-station-prototype-hits-orbital-milestone.html|title=Private Space Station Prototype Hits Orbital Milestone|publisher=Space.com |first=Tariq|last=Malik|date=9 May 2008|access-date=9 May 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="mab20111201">{{cite video|url=http://moonandback.com/2011/12/01/moonandback-interview-with-robert-bigelow-part-4-highlights-and-plans/|title=Moonandback Interview With Robert Bigelow, Part 4 – Highlights and Plans|publisher=Moonandback.com|people=Bigelow, Robert (interviewee)|medium=Podcast|time=2:53|date=1 December 2011|access-date=19 December 2011}}</ref>

<ref name=8nn20110204>{{cite news|url=http://www.8newsnow.com/story/13967660/i-team-bigelow-aerospace-begins-big-expansion|title=I-Team: Bigelow Aerospace Begins Big Expansion|publisher=8NewsNow.com|first=George|last=Knapp|date=4 February 2011|access-date=5 February 2011|archive-date=6 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206150033/http://www.8newsnow.com/story/13967660/i-team-bigelow-aerospace-begins-big-expansion|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="SQgen">{{cite web|url=http://www.spacequest.com/success/bagenesis.php|title=Genesis-I and II|publisher=SpaceQuest.com|access-date=30 June 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070529163309/http://www.spacequest.com/success/bagenesis.php|archive-date=29 May 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="LS060712">{{cite news|url=http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2006/07/12/bigelow-module-orbital-updates/|title=Bigelow Module: Orbital Updates|publisher=Live Science|first=Leonard|last=David|date=12 July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122154/http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2006/07/12/bigelow-module-orbital-updates/|archive-date=29 September 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="BAperfG1">{{cite news|url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/genesis_I/?Performance|title=Genesis I: Performance|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|first=Jay|last=Ingham|date=13 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215132030/http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/genesis_I/?Performance|archive-date=15 December 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="BAdiffII">{{cite web|url=http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/out_there/genesis_II_difference.php|title=''Genesis II'' Different From ''Genesis I''|publisher=Bigelow Aerospace|first=Eric|last=Haakonstad |date=5 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308102117/http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/out_there/genesis_II_difference.php|archive-date=8 March 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="nature20060808">{{cite news|url=http://www.nature.com/news/2006/060807/full/news060807-7.html|title=Space hotel gets a check-up|publisher=Nature (journal)|first=Heidi|last=Ledford|journal=Nature|date=8 August 2006 |access-date=8 July 2013|doi=10.1038/news060807-7}}</ref>

<ref name="space070628">{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/4007-bigelow-orbital-module-launches-space.html|title=Bigelow's Second Orbital Module Launches Into Space|publisher=Space.com|first1=Tariq |last1=Malik|first2=Leonard|last2=David|date=28 June 2007|access-date=30 June 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="nasa52ar">{{cite press release|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2006/06_52AR.html|title=Bigelow Spacecraft Carries NASA "Genebox" For Tests In Orbit|publisher=NASA Ames|date=17 July 2006|access-date=30 June 2007|archive-date=6 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206091614/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2006/06_52AR.html|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

<ref name="SR1147">{{cite news|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1147|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104211229/http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1147|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2013|title=A Closer Look at NASA's GeneBox Payload|publisher=SpaceRef|first=Keith|last=Cowing|date=30 July 2006|access-date=30 June 2007}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150206070724/http://bigelowaerospace.com/bigelow-aerospace-spacecraft/genesis/ Genesis spacecraft] at Bigelow Aerospace
* {{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/about/isecg/ger-workshop/ |title=NASA workshop on the Global Exploration Roadmap (Bigelow briefing in Session 2)|date=April 11, 2014|access-date=January 12, 2023}}

{{Space stations}}
{{Space tourism}}
{{Orbital launches in 2006}}

[[Category:Bigelow Aerospace]]
[[Category:Derelict satellites orbiting Earth]]
[[Category:Space stations]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 2006]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched by Dnepr rockets]]