Manned space platforms, payloads and tending

Abstract

A concept has been developed for providing for a permanent manned presence in space for science, applications, and technology plus growth potential to support major future operational missions. An initial crew of two to four is accommodated along with installations for interior, exterior and tended payloads. Tended payloads support includes servicing of remote free-flying spacecraft, basing of reusable orbital transfer vehicles and basing of teleoperator-mounted payloads for near-station excursions. Candidate payloads, plus configuration, flight operation, subsystem and ground logistics aspects are described, as are Shuttle interactions.