beam

BEAM, which stands for Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, is a type of expandable habitat technology developed by Bigelow Aerospace. It is designed to provide a larger volume of living and working space in microgravity environments, such as the International Space Station (ISS). The BEAM module was launched to the ISS aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on April 8, 2016, and was attached to the station's Tranquility module.

The BEAM module is an inflatable habitat, which means it is launched in a compact, folded configuration and then expanded to its full size once in orbit. This design allows for a more efficient use of launch vehicle volume and mass, as well as providing additional protection from micrometeoroids and orbital debris during launch and ascent. The BEAM module has a volume of 16 cubic meters (564 cubic feet) when expanded, and can support a crew of up to three astronauts for short durations.

The BEAM module was initially planned to remain attached to the ISS for two years, during which time it would be tested and evaluated for its performance and suitability as a habitat for future long-duration space missions. However, due to its successful performance and the potential benefits it could provide for future space exploration, NASA has extended the BEAM module's stay on the ISS until at least 2028. The BEAM module has been used for various experiments and tests, including radiation measurements, microbial sampling, and structural health monitoring. It has also been used as additional storage space for the ISS crew. The BEAM module is a significant step forward in the development of expandable habitat technology, and its success has paved the way for future inflatable habitats that could be used for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.