Expanding Possibilities Aboard The ISS

Eight days after its launch on the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft, the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) was installed on the aft berthing port of the Tranquility module April 16 for a two-year test of its systems. NASA is studying several habitat concepts to be used for future deep space exploration, and BEAM will be the first expandable habitat attached to station. BEAM is scheduled to be filled with air and expanded in late May, followed a week later by the opening of its hatch in early June and the initial ingress by crew members to check its condition.