The first human-rated expandable structure that might help inform the design of deep space habitats is set to be installed to the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, April 16.

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) will be attached to the station's Tranquility module over a period of about 4 hours.

Controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston will remove BEAM from the unpressurized trunk of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, using the robotic Canadarm2, and move it into position next to Tranquility's aft assembly port.

The BEAM will be secured by utilizing common berthing mechanism controls by NASA astronauts aboard the station. Robotic operations will commence at 2:15 a.m. EDT and are expected to be complete by 6:15 a.m. EDT.