Sundancer - Spacecraft History and Future

Spacecraft History and Future

Upon its original announcement, Sundancer was intended to be the fourth module orbited by Bigelow Aerospace. In August 2007, however, it was announced that due to rising space launch costs and the level of success of the first two Bigelow modules launched, the third development module, Galaxy, would not be put into space and the Sundancer program would be accelerated. The life support and other advanced systems intended for space testing on Galaxy, and potentially the spacecraft itself, would still be built and used for ground testing.

Sundancer was intended for launch aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, but a launch date has been continually pushed back. In 2007, it was reported that Sundancer would be in orbit by 2010, with such a date confirmed by SpaceX. By March 2008 this launch slot had slipped to 2011, by 2010 had again slipped to 2014, and by July 2011 the Sundancer had been cancelled such that the BA 330 would become the first production module.

Sundancer was to spend its first six to nine months on-orbit in a checkout configuration to test systems, followed by manned shakedown missions when transport vehicles become available. If these manned missions prove successful, Bigelow plans to use Sundancer as the starting point of the first commercial space complex. The company intends to launch a combined propulsion bus and central node to dock with Sundancer, followed by two full-size BA 330 modules which would connect to the central node. This station would potentially be followed by several more similar stations. As of 2005, it was estimated that a one-week trip to the complex would be priced at US$7.9 million.