Launch Alert - SpaceX taking Bigelow testbed to ISS

Bigelow Expandable Activity Module

LAUNCH ALERT

Only a few minutes until #SpaceX launch their next Dragon 9 rocket to the International Space Station #ISS, with the launch scheduled for 1643 Miami time, or 2043 UTC, 0643 AEST.

Watch live on http://www.spacex.com/webcast.
Alternative: www.nasa.gov/ntv

This launch is particularly interesting for two reasons:

SpaceX robotic landing barge

1/ SpaceX will attempt another landing of the reusable first stage on their robotic landing barge. They've successfully landed a first stage on solid ground, back at the launch pad it took off from. But so far success has eluded them for barge landings. The barge is important because it doesn't require the first stage to essentially turn around and double back to the landing pad - something that requires a lot more fuel.

Bigelow inflatable habitat being installed into the SpaceX Dragon capsule

2/ The majority of this launch's payload is a #BigelowSpace inflatable habitat module. Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) to give it it's official name. And acronym, because everything space must have an acronym...
This module will be installed onto the ISS, and inflated into a fully working testbed for the concept. There is a good animation showing the install and inflate process on http://bigelowaerospace.com/beam/
BEAM is a key part of making missions to Mars viable. With nine months each way, essentially two years in space, a Mars crew will need far more space than is available in the Orion spacecraft.

Anyway, enough info for now—enjoy the launch!