Boeing, Bigelow Team Up On Commercial Space Endeavors

The Boeing Co. and Bigelow Aerospace joined forces at the Farnborough Air Show this week to update industry on plans for a commercial space taxi and a commercial space station in low Earth orbit.

Under a contract awarded by NASA in February, Boeing is developing an Apollo-style capsule that would be able to ferry up to seven astronauts to and from low Earth orbit. Bigelow Aerospace is developing an Orbital Space Complex -- a commercial space station made of inflatable modules.

Boeing executive John Elbon said CST-100 spacecraft will be compatible with Atlas V, Delta IV or Falcon 9 rockets. The company expects to begin selling crew transportation services in 2013, stage four test flights in 2014 and begin operational launches in 2015.

Atlas V, Delta IV and Falcon 9 rockets all are launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Boeing also has expressed an interest in performing final spacecraft integration and assembly work at Kennedy Space Center.

Bigelow Aerospace CEO Robert Bigelow said he expects the Orbital Space Complex would require about five launches each year to ferry crew and cargo to the commercial outpost. A larger, second space station will require as many as 20 to 25 launches per year to support, he said.

The company is considering launching from Florida's Space Coast, Wallops Island in Virginia and possibly overseas launch sites.