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Culbertson, P. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Culbertson, P. E..

The U.S. Space Station program

An overview is given of the U.S. Space Station program, beginning with President Reagan's directive to NASA 'to develop a permanently manned Space Station and to do it within a decade'. The international aspects of the project are emphasized, and fruitful cooperation between Italy and the U.S. in past and present space research is noted. The Station is to serve diverse functions, including that of a laboratory in space, a permanent observatory, a servicing facility, a transportation node, and assembly and manufacturing facility, a storage depot, and a staging base for future endeavors. Management-related and engineering-related guidelines are laid out. The plan is to make the Space Station a legacy from this century to the next, with the help of and to the benefit of all who share our goals.

Culbertson, P. E.

Current NASA space station planning

Design considerations, trials, and actions both taken and necessary in the future which lead to the establishment of a space station by NASA are reviewed. Human performance on board Skylab demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of continuous operation of a space station. The manned orbital systems concept (MOSC) program, keeping in close contact with potential users, resulted in station requirements which included support for 720 day missions, up to four specialists per payload, 8-10 kW power, a 230 x 200 n mi altitude orbit, orbit change capability of 28.5 deg, all attitude orientation, and stability to within 1,100,000 g. Although the concept will not be funded, it provides a guide for incremental growth of a manned station from previously unmanned science platforms. Initiation of hardware development is projected for 1984-85. The agencies, both domestic and international, and missions for which the station will be built, are discussed.

Culbertson, P. E.

Opening a new era in space

The overall payload planning aimed at initial projected use of the Space Transportation System (STS) which will establish a new capability for exploring and using space through operations of the Shuttle, Spacelab, and Interim Upper Stage (IUS) in the Eighties is reviewed, and the significance of this planning for science and technology is discussed. The first payloads will fly on the STS during Orbital Flight Tests (OFT) beginning in March 1979. Primary OFT objectives include verifying flight systems and the Shuttle's ability to accomodate various types of payloads in different mission modes. The STS schedule will build up to as many as 60 flights in 1984. The STS payloads will make contributions to the management on a global scale of the interrelationship of production, consumption, population growth, and pollution.

Culbertson, P. E.

Report on NASA five-year planning, fiscal years 1978 through 1982

This plan is NASA's initial description of its projected research and development activities for the years 1978 through 1982. Stated goals are: (1) assurance of U.S. Preeminence in aviation, (2) scientific exploration of the universe, (3) global information services, and (4) permanent U.S. presence in space. The program represents a budget increase in NASA's aeronautical and space research and development of between three and four percent per year in terms of FY 1978 dollars.

Culbertson, P. E.

Systems approach to low cost payload design and operations

It is argued that the numerous factors governing the development and use of low-cost payload systems must be analyzed from a total systems viewpoint covering design, standardization, reuse, and refurbishment operations both in orbit and on the ground. Standardization of payloads for use with different transportation systems is shown to require extensive management studies involving cooperation between users and the technical community. Problems and potential solutions are identified in areas of orbital and ground-based refurbishment, and candidate vehicle systems are discussed for delivery, repair, replacement, and resupply of systems in orbit.

Moore, W. F.

Space Tug - Mission and program planning

An additional propulsive stage, carried in the payload bay, will be necessary for delivery of payloads to orbits beyond those which can be reached by the Shuttle alone. The concept of a reusable third stage, or Space Tug, has been under study for several years. Aspects of space tug operations planning are discussed together with payload studies, shuttle third stage program options, expendable stage studies, growth stage studies, and engine studies. Studies concerning reusable space tugs are considered, giving attention to a minimum development cost tug, a direct developed tug for 1983 operational capability, and a phased developed tug. Payload requirements are examined along with shuttle interface requirements, ground operations, and program options.

Wild, J. W.

Automated payload requirements for Space Shuttle utilization

The accommodation requirements for a representative spectrum of automated spacecraft are analyzed and compared to the services provided by the Space Shuttle and Space Tug. The purpose and engineering characteristics of a number of possible items of general purpose Shuttle-payload interface equipment are discussed. The benefits provided to automated payloads by the Space Transportation System are summarized.

Culbertson, P. E.

The Space Shuttle and its utilization.

An overview of the operational capabilities of the Shuttle. Slides are included to demonstrate the delivery of an automated satellite into a low earth orbit, a revisit of the Shuttle to a satellite previously placed in orbit, a combined mission of the Shuttle and a Tug to place a satellite in an orbit beyond the reach of the Shuttle alone, the allowable payload weight of the Shuttle as a function of incremental velocity, and a Sortie Mission.

Culbertson, P. E.

Follow-on programs.

Discussion of space activities planned for the 1980's and resulting from the use of the Space Shuttle in providing easy access to orbits around the earth. Illustrations and brief explanatory notes describe the uses of the Space Shuttle in supporting space lab operations; retrieval and delivery of propulsion stages; placement, repair, and service of satellites; transportation of passengers and crews; execution of short-duration orbital missions; and rescue of endangered personnel.

Culbertson, P. E.

The United States Space Shuttle system, its international availability for science and applications

The many missions under consideration require that the Shuttle, Tug, and Spacelab be extremely versatile. This versatility is being designed into all aspects of the systems. It is believed it will be possible to have simple interfaces between payloads and the basic spacecraft. With capability in the Shuttle to fly into orbits ranging up to polar inclination, and the capability in the Tug to fly to the planets, the combination appears capable of flying all of the missions identified as probable for the 1980s. By taking man into space with his instruments in the Spacelab it is believed that a high degree of mission success can be achieved with less emphasis in instrument perfection than is demanded today.

Culbertson, P. E.

Space tug

Versatility of space tug structural design relating to its mission planning and energy requirements

Culbertson, P. E.