Low-cost shuttle-derived space station
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
-
Sep 27, 1994
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Mar 15, 1993
filing date -
Mar 15, 1993
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
The space station of the present invention makes use of a modified space shuttle orbiter vehicle to provide a pre-assembled pre-tested, modular space station. The modified orbiter vehicle has all the equipment need for manned launch, re-entry and landing removed. The modified orbiter vehicle carries a pressurized laboratory module, a solar power system, and docking apparatus. The modified orbiter vehicle provides instrumentation, attitude control, communications, and life support systems. Another configuration includes an external fuel tank permanently attached to the modified orbiter vehicle. In either configuration, all equipment is fully integrated, installed and checked out on the ground before the launch in a single unmanned launch. Since the modified orbiter vehicle remains in space as a part of the space station the complexity and weight of the orbiter can be reduced by removing the systems that are required only for manned ascent, re-entry and landing, such as wings, tail, body flap, thermal protection tiles, landing gear, some of the avionics, some crew related controls, displays and hardware.
First Claim
Family
International Classification(s)
Cited Art Landscape
Patent Citation Ranking
Recipient Email Address
Recipient Email Address
Comment
Recipient Email Address
Add to Portfolio(s)
To add this patent to one, or more, of your portfolios, simply click the add button.
This Patent is in these Portfolios:
Add to additional portfolios:
Last Refreshed On:
Changes done successfully