Genesis I

Genesis I

Image from one of the seven exterior cameras on Genesis I
Mission type	Experimental uncrewed space station
Operator	Bigelow Aerospace
COSPAR ID	2006-029A
SATCAT no.	29252
Mission duration	6 months (planned) 2.5 years (achieved) 18 years, 1 month and 5 days (in orbit)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Space station
Spacecraft type	Genesis
Manufacturer	Bigelow Aerospace
Launch mass	1,360 kg (3,000 lb) [1]
Dimensions	4.40 m (14.4 ft) of long 2.54 m (8 ft 4 in) of diameter 11.50 m3 (406 cu ft) of volume 51.70 kPa (7.498 psi) of pressure [2]
Start of mission
Launch date	12 July 2006, 14:53:36 UTC[3]
Rocket	Dnepr
Launch site	Dombarovsky, Russia
Contractor	Yuzhmash
End of mission
Disposal	Reentry (expected) [4]
Deactivated	Retired, on orbit [5]
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit[6]
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Perigee altitude	470 km (290 mi)
Apogee altitude	480 km (300 mi)
Inclination	64.52°
Period	94.84 minutes
Genesis program Genesis II →

Genesis I is an experimental space habitat designed and built by the private American firm Bigelow Aerospace and launched in 2006. It was the first module to be sent into orbit by the company, and tested various systems, materials and techniques related to determining the viability of long-term inflatable space structures through 2008. Such structures, including this module and others built by Bigelow Aerospace, were similar to the 1990s NASA expandable TransHab design, which aimed to provide increased interior volume at a reduced launch diameter and potentially reduced mass compared to traditional rigid structures.

The on-board systems transmitted data for 2.5 years. The spacecraft remains in orbit, allowing researchers to continue to monitor the long-term viability of its expandable space structure.