Genesis I (space habitat)

Genesis I was launched on 12 July 2006 at 14:53:36 UTC After 18 years, Genesis I re-entered Earth's atmosphere July 2, 2025. == Systems ==

Genesis I was outfitted with eight GaAs solar panel arrays, four on each end of the craft, which produced 1000 watts total power and maintained a 26 volt battery charge. It carried thirteen cameras, seven externally to monitor the physical condition of the spacecraft, such as the outer shell and solar arrays, and six internally to photograph the various objects and experiments. Internal systems established an atmospheric pressure of and used passive thermal control to keep temperatures at an average of , with observed limits of approximately and . Genesis I used a single gas tank for its inflation system, and guidance/stabilization control was performed using a network of torque rods, Sun sensors, GPS and a magnetometer. == Payload ==

Aside from the various systems and monitoring equipment, Genesis I was orbiting with a wide variety of cargo. Bigelow employees contributed numerous photographs, toys, cards and other items, which were seen in still images floating around the cabin. Bigelow also placed a life sciences experiment on board, which contained four Madagascar hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa) and approximately 20 so-called Mexican jumping beans, which are seeds containing the live larva of the moth Cydia saltitans. In addition, the company allowed NASA to include a prototype for the GeneSat series of nanosatellites. This device, called GeneBox, tested the systems and procedures that will be used on future GeneSat missions. While GeneBox carried no living organisms, future flights will use sensors and optics to measure how weightlessness affects genes and the genetic activity of cells and microscopic life. == See also ==