It was the first module to be sent into orbit by the company, and tested various systems, materials and techniques related to determining the viability of long-term inflatable space structures through 2008.

[6] Genesis I is outfitted with eight GaAs solar panel arrays, four on each end of the craft, which produced 1000 watts total power[13] and maintained a 26 volt battery charge.

[14] It carries thirteen cameras, seven externally to monitor the physical condition of the spacecraft, such as the outer shell and solar arrays, and six internally to photograph the various objects and experiments.

[2] Internal systems established an atmospheric pressure of 51.7 kPa (7.50 psi)[15] and used passive thermal control to keep temperatures at an average of 26 °C (79 °F),[14] with observed limits of approximately 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) and 32 °C (90 °F).

[16] Genesis I used a single gas tank for its inflation system, and guidance/stabilization control is performed using a network of torque rods, Sun sensors, GPS and a magnetometer.

While GeneBox carries no living organisms, future flights will use sensors and optics to measure how weightlessness affects genes and the genetic activity of cells and microscopic life.