robatnorcross, it depends on who's in the startup and what kind of previous experience they have. Bigelow's website says it launched orbiting spacecraft prototypes in 2006 and 2007. So here, startup seems to mean self-funded rather than "new to the technology." And I don't think the analogy holds with Boeing's battery problems. Boeing knows a ton about aircraft and apparently nothing about lithium-ion batteries, a very new technology. Whereas NASA knows a ton about spacecraft and also a lot about non-metallic materials for those craft, neither of which are new technologies (see links at the end of this story). Plus it's used this material in other spacecraft.
Glad to help, Ann. It also educated me a lot on the material, which I was not familiar with. It seems quite durable and practical...I suppose NASA will see how it works in space and its prospect for future uses.
I guess I'm just getting too old but did I see the word "start-up" in Bigelow's wiki? I'm wondering who Robert Bigelow "contributed" to.
My question is (since this is a human habitat) If this were an airplane made by a "start-up" how many of the readers would be willing to try it out. As we've seen recently even a prestigious name like Boeing can have "unpredicitable" growing pains with a new idea and they (Boeing) know quite a bit about airplanes.
Thanks, Elizabeth. According to that Wikipedia article, the fibers are used for the matrix in some composites, and NASA has already used this material in other space projects, including some Mars landing craft airbags.
Yes, apresher, it will be interesting to see how commercialization will affect NASA. Will commercial interests influence the space agency's decisions, or can it continue to act with merely government authority to contend with? I can't imagine how it won't be affected by private interests, but that could be a good thing as business investment could allow the agency to attain bigger and better things. I suppose we will see!
I think NASA has made the right move here. They have taken a bold decision in investing on technology which will benefit them in the long run. Many might think its stupid to invest such a big amount for space technology but trust me it can do wonders and NASA will be able to predict more on planets and movements on a regular basis.
The material is called vectran, Ann--they were kind of vague about it when I wrote the story but more info has come out now. It's like kevlar but I think even stronger. Here is a wikipedia page about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vectran
It's made froma liquid crystal polymer and was created by Celanese Acetate LLC. Kuraray Co. manufactures it.
Interesting report. It does seem that the story beneath the story is the changing priorities and goals of NASA. Will be interesting going forward to see what types of space projects come forward. Thanks.
As energy efficiency becomes more and more a concern for makers of electronics devices, researchers are coming up with new ways to harvest energy from sound vibration, footsteps, and even electromagnetic fields in the air.
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