"Genesis I" was launched on 12 July 2006 at 14:53:36 UTC aboard an ISC Kosmotras Dnepr launch vehicle, launched from Dombarovsky missile base near Yasny, Orenburg Oblast, Russia. Spacecraft control was transferred to Bigelow Aerospace at 15:08 UTC after a successful orbital insertion. Designed as a one-third scale model of the full size "BA 330", when in orbit the main body of the craft measures long and in diameter, with an interior habitable volume of . As part of the expandable design, however, the module launched with a diameter of only , inflating to its full size after entering orbit. The expansion process took approximately ten minutes.