Getting paid in space

From: Brad Walsh
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 1:02:58 PM

"1) Once the ISS is completed, what are the chances a private group could
rent space to house workers who are building a privately-owned hab?

Zero.

Ok... Almost zero.

No.

Zero.

"2) What role would the inflatable Bigelow habs play?

The Bigelow stations may have a really big role. They might be ideal for governments wanting orbital facilities without huge development costs. There will be some private market ownership as well. But governments might be their larger market.

"What would it take to make them serve as units for a toroid-structure? How many would be required
for a structure large enough for a tolerable 1/2 G spin?

It is doubtful the original design has much weight bearing capability. The interior could probably be coated with something to give it that ability.

Instead of 0.5 g, how about 0.10g? That would be accomplished with a 150 ft (46 m) diameter unit spinning at 2 rpm. That might only require one (really large) inflatable. You could launch all the internal scaffolding and parts in other containers. These would then slide into the inflatable structure. Attach the airlock section to the inflatable and add air. The station can then be assembled in zero g. After finishing the main internal structures, a few small ion engines could begin the spin up.