[extropy-chat] Robert Bigelow to launch orbital resort by 2010

[Neil Halelamien]

As seen on RLV News, Popular Science's March issue has a cover feature
on Robert Bigelow and his plans for inflatable space habitats:

"The Five-Billion-Star Hotel"
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviation/article/0,20967,1027551-1,00.html

I believe this is the first article to mention Bigelow's plans to
launch an orbital resort by 2010, tentatively titled the "CSS
(Commercial Space Station) Skywalker." Previous articles only
mentioned his intention to sell modules to others, such as scientists,
manufacturers, Hollywood producers, and countries.

The habitats are constructed from inflatable modules, with multilayered
kevlar-like walls. A prototype habitat will be launching on a SpaceX
Falcon V next year. To help ensure cost-effective access to the
station, Bigelow is also running the $50 million America's Space
Prize.

The issue also has an article on Bigelow's plans to use the modules to
form the basis of "moon cruisers" and "space yachts":
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviation/article/0,20967,1027555,00.html 

Aviation Week & Space Technology had rather good articles on Bigelow's
efforts last year:

http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_awst_story.jsp?id=news/09274top.xml
http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_awst_story.jsp?id=news/07054wna.xml