Bigelow Genesis-II Launch delayed "as much as four weeks"
- From: "Jim Oberg" <joberg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 16 Apr 2007 22:35:06 GMT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Chris Reed
Bigelow Aerospace
702-688-6600
creed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.bigelowaerospace.com
Genesis II Launch Campaign Update
Statement from Robert T. Bigelow on the Second Bigelow Aerospace Pathfinder
Mission
Las Vegas, NV 04/16/07 - Bigelow Aerospace has been informed by its launch
services provider, ISC Kosmotras ("ISCK"), that the launch of the Genesis II
spacecraft will be delayed by as much as four weeks.
During the final testing of the Dnepr launch vehicle in Baikonur, Kosmotras
discovered improvements and upgrades that should be made to enhance the
system's efficacy and reliability. These upgrades are being made to all
Dnepr launch vehicles and will increase the chances of achieving our primary
goal of mission success.
However, making these improvements will take time. Bigelow Aerospace now
expects that the Genesis II launch will take place in late May.
Testing and preparatory work on the Genesis II spacecraft itself will be
completed this week at the Yasny Launch Base. We're proud to report that the
spacecraft is in excellent condition and ready for integration with the
Dnepr's Space Head Module as soon as Kosmotras is able to proceed.
No one ever wishes for a delay, but discovering problems and making the
relevant fixes are a normal part of every launch campaign. Bigelow Aerospace
supports ISCK's prudent decision to take the necessary time to enhance the
Dnepr's systems.
The Genesis II represents our most important mission yet - in particular,
with a variety of mementos, pictures and personal belongings onboard as part
of our pilot "Fly Your Stuff" program - and both ourselves and our launch
provider want to err on the side of caution to make sure that the hopes and
dreams that the Genesis II embodies meets with success.
- Robert T. Bigelow
About Bigelow Aerospace:
The mission of Bigelow Aerospace is to open the frontier of space to all of
humanity by dramatically reducing the cost of conducting human spaceflight
activities. To this end, Bigelow Aerospace is developing orbital complexes
utilizing innovative expandable space habitat technology. The Las
Vegas-based firm's affordable and flexible space complex architecture can be
adapted for virtually any crewed or autonomous mission requiring a large
pressurized volume. For more information, go to www.bigelowaerospace.com or
call (702) 688-6600.
# # # # #
Chris Reed
Publicist
Bigelow Aerospace
creed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(702) 456-1606, ext. 260
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