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NASA AMA: We are expanding the first human-rated expandable structure in space….AUA!
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We’re signing off for now. Thanks for all your great questions! Tune into the LIVE expansion at 5:30am ET on Thursday on NASA TV (www.nasa.gov/ntv) and follow updates on the @Space_Station Twitter. We’re a group from NASA and Bigelow Aerospace that are getting ready to make history on Thursday! The first human-rated expandable structure, the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) will be expanded on the International Space Station on May 26. It will be expanded to nearly five times its compressed size of 8 feet in diameter by 7 feet in length to roughly 10 feet in diameter and 13 feet in length. Astronaut Jeff Williams is going to be doing the expanding for us while we support him and watch from Mission Control in Houston. We’re really excited about this new technology that may help inform the design of deep space habitats for future missions, even those to deep space. Expandable habitats are designed to take up less room on a rocket, but provide greater volume for living and working in space once expanded. Looking forward to your questions! *Rajib Dasgupta, NASA BEAM Project Manager *Steve Munday, NASA BEAM Deputy Manager *Brandon Bechtol, Bigelow Aerospace Engineer *Lisa Kauke, Bigelow Aerospace Engineer *Earl Han, Bigelow Aerospace Engineer Proof: http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-televises-hosts-events-for-deployment-of-first-expandable-habitat-on-0 We will be back at 6 pm ET to answer your questions, ask us anything!