NASA’s Second Attempt To Expand BEAM Space Room Will Be Broadcasted LIVE

NASA and Bigelow Aerospace will make a second attempt to expand the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) at 9 a.m. EDT Saturday on May 28. The module is currently attached to the International Space Station (ISS) and the first effort at inflating it had failed. The US space agency will reportedly broadcast the event live on NASA TV.

The first attempt to inflate BEAM, which incidentally took place on Thursday, was not successful. The unit's diameter and length did not expand with the increased pressure as expected. The operations were brought to a hold, and remained at standstill, following which the habitat was depressurized on Friday afternoon.

The next attempt to expand the space module will be led by NASA astronaut Jeff Williams in the forefront.  BEAM will be expanded when the ISS is in the right position for the astronauts to work in the sunlight. The module designers need video communication in daylight to closely observe the process. Once the space room is successfully inflated, a series of leak checks and other preparations will be run through. Subsequently, the astronauts onboard the space station will enter BEAM through ISS's tranquil module. Additionally, the crew will keep on re‐entering the module throughout the course of the technology demonstration, spread out over a span of two years, to assess sensor data and monitor other conditions inside it.   

Expandable modules like BEAM are developed to take up less room on spacecraft; however on being inflated they allow more volume for working and living in space. The first test of an expanded BEAM, will allow the experts to understand the efficiency of the habitat, particularly its success in protecting against solar radiation, space temperature extremes and space debris.

The second attempt for inflating BEAM can be watched live at https://www.ustream.tv/channel/6540154. The coverage will begin at 8:45 a.m. EDT on Saturday.