Space Station Freedom - A program update

Abstract

A conceptual and programatic development status evaluation is presented for the NASA Space Station Freedom. A first Freedom-element launch by the Space Shuttle is planned for 1995, with completion of the assembly process by 1998. Man-tended capability is expected to be established by one of the early Space Shuttle assembly flights; a permanently manned capability is expected to be in place by 1996. This construction schedule fundamentally depends, however, on the availability of a replacement Space Shuttle Orbiter whose delivery is expected to occur in May 1991. Attention is given to the international-cooperation aspects of the program.