First images from Genesis II

This just in from Bigelow Aerospace. The second of the company's inflatable test modules went into orbit from Russia today and beamed back this pic, which confirms successful deployment of the craft's solar panels.

Not much to look at yet, but there's more sure to come. Stay tuned for a statement from Robert Bigelow, too.

Bigelow's making rapid progress toward sending up the first commercial space station. Can't wait to see NASA's reaction to the ship that will instantly render the International Space Station obsolete at a fraction of the cost.

NewSpace 2007 developments

Just heard from the organizers of the NewSpace 2007 conference that I'm to chair a panel discussion on commercial access to orbit. The panel has a great line-up, with more to come: http://www.space-frontier.org/Events/NewSpace2007/. Scroll down for the listing for Saturday, July 21. We go on at 9:45 a.m. This will mark my public speaking debut on the topic of my forthcoming book Rocketeers.

I've also been promised an exhibit table, which will be a great place for me bring the discussion from the panel when we run out of time there. I'll bring some advance copies of the book for folks to check out. I might be able to preview a new project I'm working on too. More on that soon....