According to this, the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) will spend most of its time attached to the ISS closed, with astronauts occasionally sampling the air inside. There will also be automated sensors measuring radiation and other properties. I’m sure there’s more to the story, but with that little bit of information, it doesn’t strike me as a very useful test…
Popular Mechanics has a story on the module as well. Other news sources said that NASA’s interested in cleaning ability and mold growth. Seems like items that would be very sensitive to the amount of air flow in the module, and where consistent use by the crew would provide useful information as well.
Update, 11 Feb: As came through on the comments, I do think BEAM is an amazing deal for NASA and Bigelow, and shows the potential of our new model of ‘off the shelf’ cost savings that’s possible. I would love to know what other single component on board ISS cost $18M to build, and I’d be willing to bet it’s smaller than the BEAM!
My first reaction to the BEAM was Great! That turned to ‘why bother’ for the same reason you give. Then I read further and understand Bigelow and NASA’s thinking. Bigelow knows NASA’s risk aversion so they couldn’t get a full sized model attached until NASA feels comfortable. Bigelow wants a foot in the door and PR; it doesn’t matter that the door will be closed most of the time. It will be open some of the time. Good bragging rights; “Bigelow has a module on the ISS!” NASA saves face; “We accepted it, we tested it, it works! Now, if we can afford it, we’ll buy or lease a bigger one, we could put it between Node 2 and Node 4. Lots of new work space and more parking spaces so we can accommodate more traffic.” If you’re going to dream, dream BIG!
Very good point. I’m a big fan of BEAM, and think that it could serve as an excellent product on its own (like a ‘second room’ for commercial missions). It is also a huge feather in Bigelow’s cap, NASA’s getting an amazing deal in cost/additional volume, and I should have made that clear in the post. My main issue here is the fact that with the door closed most of the time (once again, no word on the type of airflow through the door) and astronauts rarely in there, we won’t be getting data of how an inhabited inflatable module responds to that use. Of course, maybe only part of Lori Garver’s quote made it into the article, and she was describing phase I of the research. Time will tell.
According to a post I read at NASASpaceFlight, BEAM, by design, has no ECLSS (Environmental Control and Life Support System) ; no way of keeping the space comfy. So, you’re right, no way to gauge habitability. And, short-sighted on NASA’s part. However, they were probably getting as much as they believed they could safely “sneak” past Congress. After all, and you are right again, $18M is a relatively tiny sum. My impressions are based on what I saw/heard as the take away message from comments about the ISS during the Augustine Commission hearings; that many in Congress would have been happy fund its de-orbit as soon as the last piece was attached.