Remember that inflatable extension to the International Space
Station that NASA announced earlier in the week? Well, the space
agency has finally revealed some photos as well as a
demonstration of how it will connect to the space station
itself. The extension, officially called the Bigelow Expandable
Activity Module (or BEAM), will test expandable space habitat
technology. The BEAM is scheduled to launch aboard the eighth
SpaceX cargo resupply mission to the station contracted by NASA,
which is currently planned for 2015. Astronauts will use the
station’s robotic arm to install the inflatable BEAM module and
then begin a two-year test of the technology, according to NASA.
While the photo above may just look like a super huge spacey
baked potato, the BEAM will actually provide much needed room in
what’s otherwise cramped quarters. Check out the simulation
video of the BEAM connecting to the station embedded below.
Photo via NASA/Flickr