Home » SpaceX To Ferry Space Travelers To Orbiting Habitats

SpaceX To Ferry Space Travelers To Orbiting Habitats

By  //  February 3, 2013

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Delicious Digg This Stumble This

Commercial Partnership

The Space X launch site is at Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The site had previously been used by the U.S. Air Force to launch Titan rockets. (Image courtesy Space X)

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Fresh from making history with its successful missions to the International Space Station last year, the SpaceX company continues to think ambitiously.

SpaceX and Bigelow Aerospace have agreed to conduct a joint marketing effort focused on attracting international customers.

The two companies will offer rides on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, using the Falcon launch vehicle to carry passengers to Bigelow habitats that will orbit the earth.

Bigelow Aerospace President and Founder Robert T. Bigelow said his firm is thrilled to partner with SpaceX.

Robert T. Bigelow is the President and Founder of Bigelow Aerspace. (Image courtesy Bigelow Aerospace)

“We’re very excited to be working with our colleagues at SpaceX to present the unique services that our two companies can offer to international clientele,” Bigelow said. “We’re eager to join them overseas to discuss the substantial benefits that BA 330 leasing can offer in combination with Space X transportation capabilities.”

The BA 330 is a habitat that will provide roughly 330 cubic meters of usable volume and can support a crew of up to six.

Bigelow Aerospace plans to connect two or more BA 330s in orbit to provide national space agencies, companies and universities with unparalleled access to the microgravity environment.

Gwynne Shotwell is president of the SpaceX company. (Image courtesy SpaceX)

“SpaceX and Bingelow Aerospace A have a lot in common. Both companies were founded to help create a new era in space enterprise,” said Space X President Gwynne Shotwell. “Together we will provide unique opportunities to entities — whether nations or corporations — wishing to have crewed access to the space environment for extended periods. I’m looking forward to working with Bigelow Aerospace and engaging with international customers.”

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will be capable of carrying seven passengers to orbit. With the company’s Falcon family of rockets, SpaceX is working to create the world’s safest human spaceflight system.

The companies will kick off their marketing effort in Asia.

Representatives from Bigelow and Space X will meet with officials in Japan this month and expect keen interest in the new project.