Genesis 2

Genesis Pathfinder is a technology demonstration for the inflatable Nautilus space station structure as a prototype for a space hotel by Bigelow Aerospace. Once in Earth orbit, the one-third scale hardware is to produce important data regarding multiple features of a full-scale spacecraft. Genesis 2 will be pressurized with nitrogen, but later units will use an oxygen/nitrogen mixture. Genesis includes also windows and an airlock simulator with key seal interfaces. Genesis is 10 ft×8 ft in size when inflated. The Genesis spacecraft is fitted with several cameras monitoring the inside and outside of the spacecraft. Inside are free floating photos and personal objects provided by commercial customers to be monitored by the cameras. A NASA experiment, the GeneBox Microlaboratory, is also onboard to test new technologies, which will be used in GeneSat biological nanosatellites. The space firm is keen on spurring private ownership and use of space stations by making habitable space modules affordable for corporate communities. Under several agreements with NASA, Bigelow is drawing upon NASA's TransHab inflatable structures program, although the private company is pioneering its own design.