The crew of the space shuttle Atlantis took this picture of the International Space Station after leaving it in July 2011. Atlantis was the last shuttle to visit the station, which was first launched in 1998 and built by a partnership of 16 nations.
The crew of the space shuttle Atlantis took this picture of the International Space Station after leaving it in July 2011. Atlantis was the last shuttle to visit the station, which was first launched in 1998 and built by a partnership of 16 nations.
NASA
The crew of the space shuttle Endeavour initiates the station's first assembly sequence in 1998. The International Space Station includes several large modules, each launched separately and connected in space by astronauts.
The crew of the space shuttle Endeavour initiates the station's first assembly sequence in 1998. The International Space Station includes several large modules, each launched separately and connected in space by astronauts.
NASA / GAMMA LIASON
The Zarya control module, on the left with the solar panels, floats above Earth with its newly attached Unity module after the first assembly sequence in December 1998.
The Zarya control module, on the left with the solar panels, floats above Earth with its newly attached Unity module after the first assembly sequence in December 1998.
nasa
The first crew of the International Space Station, seen on board in December 2000. From the left are cosmonaut Yuri P. Gidzenko, astronaut William M. Shepherd and cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev.
The first crew of the International Space Station, seen on board in December 2000. From the left are cosmonaut Yuri P. Gidzenko, astronaut William M. Shepherd and cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev.
nasa
The Endeavour crew installs the first set of U.S. solar arrays on the station in 2000.
The Endeavour crew installs the first set of U.S. solar arrays on the station in 2000.
Courtesy NASA
In March 2001, a space shuttle delivered the station's second crew and brought the first one home. It also brought Leonardo, the station's first Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, to the station. Leonardo carried supplies and equipment.
In March 2001, a space shuttle delivered the station's second crew and brought the first one home. It also brought Leonardo, the station's first Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, to the station. Leonardo carried supplies and equipment.
Courtesy NASA
In September 2006, the space shuttle Atlantis docked with the space station, delivering solar wings and a new truss.
In September 2006, the space shuttle Atlantis docked with the space station, delivering solar wings and a new truss.
Courtesy NASA
The space shuttle Discovery leaves the space station in March 2008 after its crew successfully delivered and installed the Japanese-built Kibo lab.
The space shuttle Discovery leaves the space station in March 2008 after its crew successfully delivered and installed the Japanese-built Kibo lab.
Courtesy NASA
The unmanned SpaceX Dragon spacecraft connects to the space station in May 2012. It was the first private spacecraft to successfully reach an orbiting space station.
The unmanned SpaceX Dragon spacecraft connects to the space station in May 2012. It was the first private spacecraft to successfully reach an orbiting space station.
Courtesy NASA
An unmanned Russian cargo craft disconnects from the space station in April 2013. The station relies heavily on ships to bring up supplies.
An unmanned Russian cargo craft disconnects from the space station in April 2013. The station relies heavily on ships to bring up supplies.
nasa
Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency peers out of the space station's Cupola observatory on April 27. The Cupola is a dome-shaped module that allows station crew members to observe and guide activities outside the station.
Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency peers out of the space station's Cupola observatory on April 27. The Cupola is a dome-shaped module that allows station crew members to observe and guide activities outside the station.
NASA
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft is docked with the space station on May 5. Since the U.S. shuttle program ended in 2011, all crew members are ferried to and from the space station on Russian rockets.
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft is docked with the space station on May 5. Since the U.S. shuttle program ended in 2011, all crew members are ferried to and from the space station on Russian rockets.
nasa
A Soyuz spacecraft is seen on May 13 as it lands in Kazakhstan with Wakata and other members of the his Expedition 39 crew.
A Soyuz spacecraft is seen on May 13 as it lands in Kazakhstan with Wakata and other members of the his Expedition 39 crew.
bill ingalls/nasa/ap
Notable moments of the International Space Station

Story highlights

An expandable habitat has successfully been attached to the space station

Prototype may replace the metal structures astronauts currently use in space

CNN  — 

A prototype that may one day usher an era of space hotels has successfully been attached to the International Space Station, NASA said Saturday.

Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) is the first test module to ever attach to the space station. The prototype was one of the highly anticipated experiments SpaceX launched into orbit earlier in April.

What is unique about this experiment is that it is an expandable habitat that may one day replace the metal structures that currently reside in space.

BEAM, created by Bigelow Areospace, will stay attached to ISS for two years. During that time, an astronaut will enter the bedroom-size habitat four times a year and conduct tests to see how well BEAM performs against solar radiation, space debris and temperature fluctuations.

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) is an experimental expandable capsule.
The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) is an experimental expandable capsule.
Bigelow Aerospace, LLC

NASA has an invested interest in BEAM’s performance. The space agency is investigating new ways to keep astronauts safe and healthy during long space travel, especially as it plans to bring astronauts to Mars by the 2030s. Expandable habitats are an attractive option because they are lighter, easier to carry and have more room for astronauts to move around.

Having extra leg room is a luxury in space.

Billionaire businessman Robert Bigelow, the founder of Bigelow Aerospace, said his company has been very aware of crew comfort. They’ve had astronauts step inside prototypes of BEAM and its larger cousin B330. “Astronauts have said it has been great because of the size,” Bigelow told CNN.

inflatable space habitats BA330 spacex launch bigelow aerospace ISS NASA cm orig_00005906.jpg
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NASA has been clear that the next space station will most likely be a commercial station. Expandable habitats may be an option for building a new ISS someday, Jason Crusan, director of NASA’s Advanced Exploration Systems, told CNN.

By 2020, Bigelow hopes to have an expandable space station in lower Earth orbit and beyond. “We have the architecture to launch on the moon, but our first step it to launch into lower orbit,” Bigelow said.

So how does this connect to space hotels of the future? Bigelow, who made his fortune from the hotel chain Budget Suites, hopes expandable technology could one day be used for research and tourism trips to other planets.

He envisions the next space station as another destination for travelers.

In the meantime, BEAM will be inflated with air in May. If everything goes as planned, after two years the prototype will be released from the space station and harmlessly burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.