Bigelow explains that his inflatable modules provide three times the interior volume of any module on the International Space Station while offering superior protection against micrometeorite impacts. He describes the complex political landscape surrounding private spaceflight, citing ITAR regulations and congressional interference as greater obstacles than technology or funding. The ultimate goal is an occupiable module called Sundancer, targeted for launch around 2010, with a commercial space station to follow.
The conversation turns to Bigelow's well-known interest in the paranormal, including his funding of research into UFO phenomena through the National Institute for Discovery Science. Art and Bigelow discuss who owns space under the 1967 Moon Treaty and the geopolitical implications of China's growing space ambitions.
Key Moments
Hypervelocity tests: expandable shields outperform aluminum: Bigelow describes ballistic hypervelocity-impact tests in which projectiles 'unzipped' and obliterated mock-ups of the strongest ISS aluminum hulls, but did not exit Bigelow's expandable shields. The original NASA intent was a Mars-mission dormitory.
Why NASA's expandable module program was killed: Bigelow explains he licensed expandable habitat technology from NASA after a congressman, fearing the system would lure NASA toward Mars, killed the program. Inside NASA halls, 'Mars' was called 'the M word' and was forbidden in 1999-2000.
Launching on a decommissioned SS-18 ICBM: Bigelow confirms his Genesis spacecraft ride to orbit on a Russian SS-18, originally designed to deliver multiple nuclear warheads to U.S. cities. He quips they just asked the Russians to remove the warhead aimed at Las Vegas and put his spacecraft on it.
Skinwalker Ranch: a re-emergence with no hostile intent: Bigelow gives an update on the ranch he owns: after a year-and-a-half lull, anomalous activity has re-emerged in the last couple of years. It is unsuspecting, never repeats the same way, shows no hostile intent, and feels like a poltergeist with a sense of game.
NIDS' two pillars: UFOs and consciousness: Bigelow recounts that his National Institute for Discovery Science was built on two pillars, UFOs and consciousness, with researchers including Ian Stevenson, Melvin Morse, Emily Cook, and Larry Dossey. He concludes consciousness operates independent of time, location, and its physical container, and that there is a connection between consciousness and UFOs.