Genesis II (space habitat)

Genesis II
Artist rendering of Genesis II
Mission typeExperimental uncrewed space station
OperatorBigelow Aerospace
COSPAR ID2007-028A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.31789
Mission duration6 months (planned)
2.5 years (achieved)
17 years, 4 months and 5 days (in orbit) [1]
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSpace station
Spacecraft typeGenesis
ManufacturerBigelow Aerospace
Launch mass1,360 kg (3,000 lb) [2]
Dimensions4.40 m (14.4 ft) of long
2.54 m (8 ft 4 in) of diameter
11.50 m3 (406 cu ft) of volume
51.70 kPa (7.498 psi) of pressure [3]
Start of mission
Launch date28 June 2007, 15:02:20 UTC
RocketDnepr
Launch siteDombarovsky, Russia
ContractorYuzhmash
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[4]
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude446 km (277 mi)
Apogee altitude512 km (318 mi)
Inclination64.5°
Period94.92 minutes
Genesis program

Genesis II is the second experimental space habitat designed and built by the private American firm Bigelow Aerospace, launched in 2007. As the second module sent into orbit by the company, this spacecraft built on the data and experience gleaned from its previously orbited sister-ship Genesis I. Like its sister-ship and other modules being designed by Bigelow Aerospace, this spacecraft was based on the NASA TransHab design, which provided increased interior volume and reduced launch diameter along with potentially reduced mass compared to traditional rigid structures.

Genesis II was "retired" when its avionics systems stopped working after two and a half years, thus becoming a derelict spacecraft. As of 2024, the spacecraft remains in orbit.[4]

  1. ^ @BigelowAerospace (9 January 2016). "We hoped to receive 6 months..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference msnbc397 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference BAperfG2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Peat, Chris (22 October 2019). "Genesis 2 - Orbit". Heavens Above. Retrieved 22 October 2019.

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