NASA astronaut Jeff Williams over Tuesday and Wednesday was set to install key sensors around the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) to measure real-time radiation, impact detection and temperature.
NASA said Tuesday the hatch to BEAM was opened once again for the second day of outfitting the expandable module to determine its habitability and durability. BEAM will be attached to the International Space Station (ISS) for the next two years. ISS crew is predicted to enter BEAM between 12 and 14 times during its stay.
BEAM’s hatch was opened for the first time on Monday after being fully expanded. Williams entered BEAM and checked sensors, installed air ducts and reported back to earth that BEAM was in “pristine” condition. He also took an air sample and began downloading data from sensors on the dynamics of BEAM’s expansion. Bigelow Aerospace Deputy Program Manager for BEAM Lisa Kauke said Monday in an email that the air sample is meant to verify the air quality inside BEAM, which is expected to be very similar to the rest of ISS, based on ground testing results.
NASA said Monday that Williams found it cold inside BEAM, but also found no evidence of any condensation on its inner surfaces. Kauke said it was not surprising to hear BEAM was cold as NASA’s thermal models predicted that BEAM would be colder than the rest of ISS. BEAM does not include its own heaters, Kauke said, but it will eventually warm up once ISS air has had time to circulate through the habitat.
Kauke said BEAM’s cover plate will not be left open during its stint on ISS. The astronauts will remove and re-install the cover plate each time they ingress and egress. She also said there are no plans to have astronauts sleep inside BEAM as it was launched as a technology demonstration rather than an extension to ISS.
NASA did not respond to requests for comment Monday and Tuesday.