cbsnews | With no formal training in science or engineering, Robert Bigelow
created an aerospace company with scientists and engineers that's
achieved what no one else in the industry has done. His expandable
spacecraft are the first and only alternative to the metal structures
that have housed every astronaut in space for over half a century.
For
Bigelow, it all began with growing up in a time of nuclear tests. As a
young boy, he would watch the skies over Nevada light up with the bursts
of atomic bombs.
Robert Bigelow: Witnessing those explosions in
the 50s and 60s, you weren't aware of the ultimate ramifications of
those kinds of things but there was a real strong feeling of energy and a
secretiveness and so forth and it was cool.
Armstrong: "That's one small step for man…"
Later, he watched Neil Armstrong take the first steps on the moon, a moment in history he said still inspires him.
Robert Bigelow: The approach wasn't lightening fast…
But
on this canyon road just outside Las Vegas, Robert Bigelow's story
takes a turn that some may find, to put it lightly, improbable. He told
us this is where his grandparents had a close encounter with a UFO.
Robert
Bigelow: It really sped up and came right into their face and filled up
the entire windshield of the car. And it took off at a right angle and
shot off into the distance.
