Space Tug baseline description and status

Abstract

The baseline definition of the Space Tug discussed herein is the one necessary to meet current payload mission model requirements in the mid-1980's for the least risk and development investment. This baseline Space Tug is a nominal 15-ft diameter, 30-ft long, LOX/LH2 stage with a main propellant capacity of about 50,000 lbs. Once deployed from the Space Shuttle in orbit, it is designed to automatically deliver spacecraft to a predetermined position and velocity and/or rendezvous and dock with prepositioned spacecraft for servicing or retrieval. The Tug would normally be returned to the vicinity of the Shuttle Orbiter, with or without spacecraft, to be retrieved and returned to earth in the Shuttle. Design characteristics, performance requirements, projected activities, and subsystems features are described.