Bigelow Aerospace was a company dedicated to developing and manufacturing expandable space station modules. Founded in 1998 by Robert Bigelow, it licensed technology from NASA and invested hundreds of millions of dollars in research and development. The company built and launched two unmanned prototypes, Genesis I and II, and developed a module, BEAM, that was attached to the International Space Station. Bigelow Aerospace had ambitious plans to create a commercial space station for research, tourism, and government use, but faced challenges including delays in launch capabilities, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a downturn in the space industry. The company ultimately closed its doors in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of innovation in the field of inflatable space habitats.

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