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U.S. Civilian Space
Station Chronology
1950 • 1960
• 1961 • 1962 • 1963
• 1964 • 1965 • 1966
• 1667 • 1968 • 1969
• 1970 • 1971 • 1972
• 1973 • 1974 • 1975
• 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 •
1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996
• 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2011 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 •
2007 • 2008 •
 This
1929 Hermann Noordung image depicts a three-unit space station as seen
from a space ship. Hermann Potocnik (1892-1929), also known as Herman Noordung,
created the first detailed technical drawings of a space station. The three
units were the habitat, the machine room, and the observatory, each connected
by an umbilical. The Earth is in the background, approximately 26,000 miles
away. The station in this image is roughly above Cameroon's southern tip,
in a geosynchronous orbit on the median of Berlin. (Credit: NASA.)
 1929
Hermann Noordung depiction of a space station habitat wheel. Hermann Potocnik
(1892-1929), also known as Herman Noordung, created the first detailed
technical drawings of a space station. Power was generated by collecting
sunlight through the concave mirror in the center. This was one of three
components of Noordung's space station. The other two were the observatory
and the machine room, each connected to the habitat by an umbilical.
(Credit: NASA.)
 This
is an artist's impression of the "Brick Moon." "The Brick Moon" was the
title of an article published in the Atlantic Monthly by Edward Everett
Hale in 1869. This piece was the first known proposal for an Earth-orbiting
satellite. Hale envisioned that the satellite could be used by mariners
as a navigational aid. He believed it would be the longitudinal companion
to the latitudinal North Star. In 1869, this story was considered fantasy
but in retrospect "The Brick Moon" foreshadowed the need for a space station
and some of its technologies. (Credit: NASA.)
This is a von Braun 1952 space station concept. In a 1952 series of
articles written in Collier's, Dr. Wernher von Braun, then Technical Director
of the Army Ordnance Guided Missiles Development Group at Redstone Arsenal,
wrote of a large wheel-like space station in a 1,075-mile orbit. This station,
made of flexible nylon, would be carried into space by a fully reusable
three-stage launch vehicle. Once in space, the station's collapsible nylon
body would be inflated much like an automobile tire. The 250-foot-wide
wheel would rotate to provide artificial gravity, an important consideration
at the time because little was known about the effects of prolonged zero-gravity
on humans. Von Braun's wheel was slated for a number of important missions:
a way station for space exploration, a meteorological observatory and a
navigation aid. This concept was illustrated by artist Chesley Bonestell.
(Credit: MSFC.)
An early space station concept drawing (1959). The station was designed
as a laboratory to study the physical and behavioral effects of prolonged
space flight, and could have possibly been crewed by 50 people. This particular
image appeared in the 1959 Space The New Frontier brochure produced by
NASA(Credit: NASA.)
November 7, 1961: NASA
announced award of a contract to North American Aviation Co. to study the
feasibility of a large erectable manned space station based on Langley
Research Center concept. - Aeronautics
and Astronautics, 1961,
p. 62.
May 26, 1961:
NASA Center: Headquarters
Image # : #-12A
Date : 05/26/1961
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title
Inflatable Station Concept
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Unlike
many other early space station concepts, this design actually made it out
of the concept phase and into production, though no models were ever flown.
This particular station was 30-feet and expandable. It was designed to
be taken to outer space in a small package and then inflate in orbit. The
station could, in theory, have been big enough for 1 to 2 people to use
for a long period of time. A similar 24 foot station was built by the Goodyear
Aircraft Corporation for NASA test use. The concept of space inflatables
was revived in the 1990s. (Credit: NASA.)
August
15, 1961: A model of an inflatable space station concept with a solar
power system collector in 1961. It was 7 metres in diameter with internal
fabric bulkhead which could be separately pressurized in an emergency.
(Crdtit: NASA
Langley.)
 This
is an early space station concept drawing. The station was designed as
a laboratory to study the physical and behavioral effects of prolonged
space flight, and could have possibly been crewed by 5 people. This particular
image appeared in the 1959 Space The New Frontier brochure produced by
NASA. (Credit: NASA.)
March 1, 1962: Vice President
Lyndon B. Johnson pointed out areas in which international cooperation
should begin in outer space. “As we attempt to look 25 years into the future,
we catch visions of breathtaking journeys in large man-made planets around
the sun to Mars and Venus-of a new freedom of movement of man across millions
of miles of space -- of a permanent colony on the Moon and of large space
stations or space forts at key locations for the conduct of space research,
for aid to space navigation, and for rescue operations.” - Aeronautics
and Astronautics, 1962,
p. 36.
April 28, 1962: First
details of an orbital space station under feasibility study, one shaped
like a doughnut and inflated once in orbit, revealed at Langley Research
Center. Design of space stations had begun in November 1960 at Langley.
Paul Hill, chief of the Appted Materials and Physics Division, stated that
structures were now under study which could hold from four to thirty people.
- Aeronautics
and Astronautics, 1962,
p. 64.
August 2, 1962: First
full-scale research model of an inflatable space station was displayed
at NASA Lewis Research Center. Developed by Goodyear Aircraft Corp. for
NASA, the doughnut-shaped, three-story-high structure was made of rubberized
fabric and equipped to accommodate three to ten astronauts. - Aeronautics
and Astronautics, 1962,
p. 137.
August 2-3, 1962: In meeting at NASA Langley Research
Center, Langley and MSC personnel presented reports on space station studies
to officials from NASA Headquarters. and other interested agencies.
- Aeronautics
and Astronautics, 1962,
p. 138.
September 12, 1962: NASA management meeting held
to brief key officials on a manned space station program and to discuss
possible FY 1964 funding. - Aeronautics
and Astronautics, 1962,
p. 181.
During September 1962: Conclusion that wheel-shaped
space station was technically feasible and identification of problems that
still exist were revealed in NASA Technical Note D-1504, compilation
of 11 papers by NASA Langley Research Center staff. Selection of this 45-m-diameter,
77.5-ton structure was result of studies by Langley for more than 2 years
and detailed analyses by North American Aviation, Inc., for past 6 months.
The report indicated the space station primarily would provide *a means
of learning to live in space, where zero-gravity and variable-gravity experiments
could be performed, closed life-support systems could be qualified, and
rendezvous techniques and systems developed. Chosen model could support
up to 38-man crew. Issue of ARS Astronautics contained series of
articles by NASA Langley Research Center scientists and others, reviewing
LaRC research program on manned space-station technology since early 1960.
- Aeronautics
and Astronautics, 1962,
p. 203.
November 16, 1962: Dr.
Hugh L. Dryden, NASA Deputy Administrator, said: “I personally believe
that the next large manned space flight project [after Apollo] will be
[a space station] rather than extensive exploitation of the Moon or manned
expeditions to the planets. This might change if the early lunar exploration
returned surprises in the form of natural resources of use on Earth. I
think it will now be appreciated that the present rather arbitrary subdivisions
of our program will coalesce, for the manned space station will be useful
for both manned and unmanned scientific exploration and could be the site
of observation of weather or of communications relay stations…”
- Aeronautics
and Astronautics, 1962,
p. 245.
January 12, 1963: Houston
Chronicle reported NASA Manned Spacecraft Center* was planning 30-man
space station that could stay in orbit for five years; MSC had solicited
contractors’ proposals for electrical power system capable of producing
40,000 watts. - Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 13.
* Now known as the Johnson Space
Flight Center, Houston, Texas.
January 22, 1963: Georg
von Tiesenhausen, chief of future studies for NASA Launch Operations Center,
told that by 1970, U.8. would need an orbiting space station to launch
and repair spacecraft; space station could double as a manned scientific
laboratory. Describing station 90-metre long and 10-metre in diameter,
von Tiesenhausen said it could be launched in two sections by Saturn C-5
vehicles and joined together in space rendezvous. - Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 22.
February 7, 1963: Dr.
James E. Roberts, USAF scientist, told that permanent five-man space station
could be established “in the late 1965 or early 1966 time period.” Such
a station, called “Mark I,”could be placed in orbit by Saturn I or Titan
III vehicle, he said. Mark II station, three times as big as Mark I, could
replace the initial station by the end of the decade. The space stations
discussed by Dr. Roberts would be primarily for scientific and engineering
research. - Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 46.
During February 1963:
Four men spent 14 days in slow-rotation room simulating slowly-rotating
space station, in NASA-sponsored experiment at Navy’s School of Aviation
Medicine, Pensacola, Fla. ’No serious disturbance of a psychological or
physiological nature was encountered,” and no change was found in conceptual
reasoning, physical performance, perception, and sensory ability. No important
changes in blood pressure, respiration, or pulse rate were observed during
the experiment. - Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 46.
March 1, 1963: NASA Manned
Spacecraft Center proposal to establish manned orbital space station which
stressed that such a station and associated equipment could be established
using rockets, equipment, and materials under development now for Project
Apollo. Plan called for (1) orbiting space station with capacity for 18
crewmen; (2) sending six men in adapted Apllo-type spacecraft to board
the orbiting station; and (3) sending two more such crews within a month
of each other to staff the station, docking the shuttle spacecraft at the
station’s three arms. Report said space station would be a national laboratory
for study of space. - Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 77-8.
March 4, 1963: Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, NASA Deputy
Administrator, discussing studies of follow-on projects to manned lunar
landing, listed as “obvious candidates… establishment of a station on the
Moon permitting prolonged occupancy, a manned laborato orbiting the Earth
as a satellite, and manned reconnaissance of the planets…
“It seems to us that an orbiting laboratory is a necessary preliminary
to manned planetary expeditions… Obviously the capsules presently
in the program do not have sufficient space available for experimentation
and as only a limited lifetime in orbit. Something larger, of longer duration
in orbit, and with resupply capability is required. Many exploratory design
studies have been made of the technological feasibility of assembling a
large space laboratory in space from multiple launches with one or another
of the available launch vehicles.
“We believe however that technical feasibility alone does not justify a
project of this magnitude and cost. We are attempting to grasp the problem
from the other end, that is to ask what one can and would do in a space
laboratory in specific fields of science and technology with a view to
establishing a realistic and useful concept. We hope that such studies
will provide the information necessary to justify and support a decision
to be made in time for the fiscal year 1965 budget. The program must be
designed to fulfill national neefs…” -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 82.
April 15, 1963: Dr. Arthur R. Kantrowitz,
Vice President of AVCO Corp., said: “I am one of those who favor,
as our next objective, the permanent manned station in a low orbit around
the Earth… It would give us a chance to learn to live and to work in space.
It would give us a chance to achieve a larger vision of the potentialities
of space… A laboratory like this would enlarge man’s horizons in an important
way…” -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 142.
April 18, 1963: Vice President and General Manager
of Boeing Co. Aerospace Div., Lysle A. Wood, proposed:
| (1) |
orbiting weather control station that could provide a
“better foreign aid program than any of our efforts to date”; |
| (2) |
orbiting industrial laboratories
to supplement Government space laboratories; |
| (3) |
orbiting cardiovascular laboratory
for studying and treating selected patients in space environment; |
| (4) |
research by chemists and others
for substances, compounds, and organisms “for which we do not recognize
a need or desire because we cannot imagine the possibility of their existence”;
and |
| (5) |
orbiting vehicles as new medium
of advertising. |
He suggested
that U.S. would benefit from commercial ventures into space, and such benefits
could help pay for scientific and military programs. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 142.
April 24, 1963: NASA announced Langley Research
Center had requested industry proposals for studying manned obital research
laboratory systems capable of sustaining a four-man crew in space for one
year. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 158.
During April 1963: NASA Manned Spacecraft Center
issued requests for proposals for preliminary study contracts on (1) rotating
manned space station to house 18 crewmen; (2) non-rotating, zero-gravity
station to house 25-30 crewmen; (3) reusable logistics vehicle. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 170.
May 13, 1963: NASA was
evaluating merits of manned space stations, permanent lunar bases and Mars
expedition as follow-on to Project Apollo; technology needed for Mars spacecraft
would be simpler in many ways than that required for lunar base or space
station. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 193.
May 27, 1963: Proposed NASA-USN program of high-altitude,
long-duration balloon flights was outlined. Pending DOD approval, program
would call for three types of &ghts: three-man, three-day flight using
basic gondola and existing balloon of 280 000 cubic meters class;
14-day flight, possiibly with larger crew and expanded equipment; and 30-day
fllghts with six- or seven-man crew. Program objectives: to check out space
station equipment and components and to study biomedical and psychological
factors. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 216.
June 5, 1963: NASA announced
selection of Boeing Co. and Douglas Aircraft Co. for final negotiations
leading to manned orbital research laboratory study contracts. NASA Langley
Research Center would negotiate definitive three-month study contracts
with the two companies.-
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 230.
June 6-7, 1963: At a
Symposium on exploration of Mars, A. James Shiner of NASA Man-System Integration
delivered paper prepared by him and Dr. Eugene B. Konecci, Director of
NASA Biotechnology and Human Research: “A manned orbital research laboratory…
becomes a distinct requirement to obtain human design requirements for
a Mars vehlcle system, whether that system is nuclear or chemical. The
manned orbital research laboratory will help answer many of our questions
about the environment, and man’s ability to not only survive, but to perform
useful functions in prolonged acemissions. The mann orbital research laboratory
under study by the Langley Research Center will have to operate for prolong
periods of time to obtain the required human research and biotechnology
data needed for design of advanced space systems. A manned orbital research
laboratory will eventually used to simulate Martian voyages aa well….”
-
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 233.
June 12, 1963: NASA Manned
Spcecraft Center announced award of six-month study contract to Hamilton
Standard Div. of United Aircraft Corp. for establishment of environmental
control and life support requirements for manned Earth-orbiting space station.
Duration of 24-man station would be from one to five years. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 239.
June 21, 1963: Dr. Floyd L. Thompson, Director
of Langley Research Center, announced that whenever the U.S. decided to
go ahead with a manned orbiting laboratory, Langley would be ready. “Although
there is no NASA approved flight project for a manned space station at
the present time, Langley will be in a position through its studies to
provide many of the answers to design and operational problems when such
a misson is given the go signal.” -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 251.
July 4, 1963: NASA Manned Spacecraft Center announced
two types of orbital manned space stations would be studied to compare
concepts for 24-man operational station: one concept by Lockheed Co. California
Div. and the other by Douglas Aircraft Missiles and Space Systems Div.
Each station would be designed to remain in orbit at 300-500-kilometre
altitude for about three yaars, with resupply and crew changes every three
months. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 266.
July 7, 1963: General Electric Co. said four men
would spend one month inside full-scale model of space station at GE’s
Space Technology Center, in test of man’s reactions and performance in
simulated space-flight conditions. Experiment would begin in September.
-
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 269.
July 16, 1963: Five men entered Boeing Co. space
chamber, simulating quarters in manned space station or manned lunar base,
for 30-day engineering test of integrated life-support system. Designed
and built for NASA Office of Advanced Research and Technology, system included
all elements of life support necessary for 150 man-day space mission. Associated
with life-support equipment were specific crew tests simulating problems
of space flight. Members of test crew: R. H. Lowry, Boeing Chief of Bioastronautics;
Maj. Edward Westlake (CSAF) of Air Force Systems Cmd.; Roger Barnicki,
NASA Flight Research Center X-15 personnel equipment specialist; Charles
Proctor, Boeing biochemist and food specialist; and Richard Farrell, Boeing
psychologist. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 275.
July 20, 1963: Five men locked in Boeing Co. test
chamber on simulated 30-day space mission were forced to cut the test short
after 104 hrs. [4.3 days] because hole developed in reactor tank (comparable
to septic tank). -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 280.
August 7, 1963: Under Secretary of the Air Force
Brockway McMillan said: “We view a space station as an essential preliminary
to an operational space defense system, and as a valuable source of experience
which will apply to NASA objectives. As this program is in the early
conceptual phase, we think it possible to begin now to fully exploit its
high potential to serve both civilian and military needs. As you know,
the Defense Department has proposed to NASA that there be collaboration
in studies leading to the definition of the space station program…”
-
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 301-2.
August 18, 1963: Under questioning by the House
Appropriations Subcommittee on Independent Offices, NASA Deputy Administrator
Dr. Hugh L. Dryden discussed the future space programs to follow the manned
lunar landing program: “There are three principal
candidates for what might be called the next program. These are the manned
orbital laboratory; the further exploration of the Moon; and finally, man’s
interplanetary travel.
“There
are people who favor one or another of these projects. I personally favor
the manned orbital laboratory as being the next project. What we find on
the Moon may change our minds on this, but from present knowledge, I feel
priority should go to a manned orbital laboratory. Some of this equipment
has been in space for a period of a year or more. That is the length of
a trip to Mars or Venus and back.
“One
reason for saying the manned orbital laboratory has priority is the possible
military application.” -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 317-8.
September 20, 1963: NASA has been spending about
$3 million a year on conceptual and design studies for a four- to six-man
space laboratory orbiting some 500 kilometres above the Earth. From 1959
until last year, the Air Force spent about $10 million a year on design
studies. These studies were halted largely because of skepticism within
the Defense Department about a military role for man in space. Now it has
been agreed that there should be closer coordination of the Air Force and
NASA studies. Out of them, it now is hoped, will come a single project,
National Orbital Space Station, or NOSS. Significantly, the Air Force has
dropped its MODS (for Military Orbital Development Station) designation
for its studies and is using NOES. - The
New York Times, 20 September 1963.
October 17, 1963: NASA and DOD announced joint
agreement to coordinate studies and actions concerning a manned orbital
research and develoment station. The Aeronautics and Astronautics Coordinating
Board (AAOB) would be the means by which the joint appraisals would be
carried out. If the eventual fidings were that such a program was required,
the NASA Administrator and the Secretary of Defense would submit a joint
recommendation to the President, includmg a statement as to which agency
should have project responsibility. If the President agreed to proceed
with the pmgram, a joint NASA-DOD hoard would be set up to establish objectives
and approve specific experiments -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 392.
December 2, 1963: NASA selected Douglas Aircraft
Co. for negotiations leading to follow-on study contract for refinement
and evaluation o! NASA manned orbital laboratory concept. Awarded on basis
of Douglas performance of previous three-month study, the six-to-nine-month
follow-on contract called for refining the NASA concept of a manned orbiting
laboratory based on cylindrical six-man spacecraft.
-
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 459.
December 10, 1963:
Cancellation of USAF Dyna Soar (X-20) manned aero spacecraft project announced
by Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. Some of the funds saved would
be diverted into broader, long-range exploration of the problems and potential
of manned military operations in near space, chief project of which would
be Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). Attached to modified Gemini spacecraft
(Gemini-X), MOL will be launched into orbit by Titan III launch vehicle,
the two-man Gemini crew then transferring to the house-trailer-sized MOL
where they will conduct experiments and observations for two to four weeks,
then return to Earth in the Gemini-X spacecraft. Schedule called for launching
late in 1967 or early in 1968. [...] NASA Assistant Administrator for Public
Affairs Julian Scheer said: “The decisions announced by Secretary McNamara
today with respect to the Dyna Soar Project and Manned Orbital Lab. followed
discussions with NASA and were fully coordinated with the programs of this
agency. The decisions announced by Secretary McNamara are based on the
best uses of resources to maximize our national capacity in space and NASA
fully supports them.” -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 475-6.
 This
is a concept drawing of an
-
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1963, p. 275.
orbit and launch facility. It was to use a nuclear SNAP-II nuclear power
supply on the end of the long telescoping boom. Nuclear reactors were considered
dangerous, which is why in this concept drawing it was located so far away
from the habitat part of the station. Creators envisioned the structure
being built in orbit to allow assembly of the station in orbit which could
be then larger than anything that could be launched from Earth. The two
main modules were to be 33 feet in diameter and 40 feet in length. When
combined the modules would create a four deck facility, 2 decks to be used
for laboratory space and 2 decks for operations and living quarters. The
facility also allowed for servicing and launch of a space vehicle. Though
the station was designed to operate in micro- gravity, it would also have
an artificial gravity capability. (Credit:
NASA.)
January 1, 1964: NASA
position paper on DOD’s Manned Orbiting Laboratory, embodying eight principles
of NASA policy toward the MOL, was made public. The paper stated: “The
DOD Manned Orbital Laboratory is a single military project (a specific
goal; not a broad program) within the overall National Space Program.…
“The
MOL should not be construed as the national space station, a separate program
currently under joint study by NASA and the DOD. Such a space station project
would be considered under the terms of the Webb/McNamara agreement on manned
orbital research and development systems larger than Gemini and Apollo.
The MOL is, rather, a specific experimental test bed utilizing NASA’s Gemini
project and the Titan III for certain potential military space applications
not within the scope of NASA’s activities…”-
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 1.
January 8, 1964: Edward
Z. Gray, Director of Advanced Studies in NASA Office of Manned Space Flight,
said that when NASA builds a manned space station it would be “more sophisticated”
than the DOD Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). NASA now has 13 studies
dealing with concepts leading toward development of an orbiting manned
space station; when these studies are completed, NASA would be able to
appraise “the space station requirements and what will be the best method
of pursuing the development of a manned orbiting space station system.”
-
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 8.
January 11, 1964: James
J. Haggerty, Jr., predicted that assignment of Manned Orbiting Laboratory
to DOD was “an ominous harbinger of a reversal in trend, an indication
that the military services may play a more prominent role in future space
exploration at NASA’s expense.…
“MOL
is a starting point. Whether you label it development platform, satellite
or laboratory, it is clearly intended as a beginning for space station
technology. It is also clearly the intent of this Administration that,
at least in the initial stages, space station development shall be under
military rather than civil, cognizance.…” -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 10.
February 3, 1964: “The
Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program, which replaced the Dyna-Soar,
is a research program aimed at giving man the opportunity to operate in
space so that we may determine whether and when the manned space vehicle
will be militarily significant, reports Secretary of the Air Force Eugene
M. Zuckert. The MOL program will provide much of the supporting knowledge
for indicated future manned space systems. The timing of the program is
based upon a technical decision that our primary need is to know what functions
man can perform in orbit, before exploring, as completely as Dyna-Soar
would have, the problems and techniques of controlled reentry. This latter
will now be studied on a more limited developmental basis.” -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 44.
February 5, 1964: Lt.
Col. Robert S. Buchanan (USAF) of Aerospace Research Pilots School, Edwards
AFB, told that the greatest potential dangers to large scientific space
station with crew of 15 or more men would be fire and collision with a
meteoroid or space debris. Studies were considering possibility of separating
space stations into individual compartments that could be sealed off in
case of catastrophes such as fire. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 52.
February 26, 1964: Lokheed-California
Co. released details of its recommendations to NASA Manned Spacecraft Center
on a scientific space station program. Lockheed study concluded manned
station with crew of 24 could be orbiting the earth in 1968. Total cost
of program -- including logistics spacecraft and ground support -- for
five years’ operation was estimated at $2.6 billion. Study recommended
launching the unmanned station into orbit with a Saturn V launch vehicle,
then launching manned logistics vehicle to rendezvous and dock at the station.
-
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 80.
March 2, 1964: NASA and
DOD established the National Space Station Planning Sub-Panel of the NASA-DOD
Aeronautics and Astronautics Coordinating Board (AACB), charged with studying
and then making recommendations to AACB on the best configuration for follow-on
manned space station to the MOL. Go-chairmen were Dr. Michael I. Yarymovych
of NASA Advanced Manned Missions Office and Col. Kenneth Schultz, Deputy
Director of Development Planning for Space, Hq. USAF. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 90.
March 3, 1964: Douglas
Aircraft Co. was awarded follow-on study contract for Manned Orbital Research
Laboratory by NASA Langley Research Center, to refine the NASA concept
and examine the feasability of cylindrical six-man space station using
equipment providing intermittent artificial gravity. Selection of Douglas
for contract negotiation was announced last December. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 92.
March 4, 1964: USAF planned
to launch six manned orbiting laboratories (MOL) over an 18-month period,
beginning in late 1967 or early 1968, unnamed sources revealed in Washington.
-
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 96.
During March 1964: NASA
Manned Spacecraft Center received design recommendations for 24-man Large
Orbital Research Laboratory (LORL) that could be operational by 1968 --
the six-month study conducted by Douglas Aircraft’s Missile & Space
Div. and IBM’s Federal Systems Div. The cylindrical space station would
operate under zero gravity conditions in a 400-km-high orbit. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 121.
April 15, 1964: Large
manned space station design was described by Edward H. Olling, head of
MSC Space Station Program Office. The 24-man station would be 45-metre
in diameter with three radial modules, rotate at maximum speed of 4 rpm.
Lifetime would be from one to five years. Saturn V could launch it into
orbit and Saturn IB would launch logistics vehicles. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 140.
April 22, 1964:
Michael I. Yarymovych, Director of NASA Manned Earth Orbital Mission Studies,
said before Canaveral Council of Technical Studies, Cape Kennedy, that
NASA was coordinating fully with DOD in exploring four different types
of orbital systems: Extended Apollo, Apollo Orbital Research Laboratory
(AORL), Medium Orbital Research Laboratory (MORL), and Large Orbital Research
Laboratory (LORL). The first three concepts were designed to be orbited
by Saturn IB; LORL, by Saturn V. Yarymovych said that it was “becoming
increasingly clear that the Extended Apollo is an essential element of
an expanding Earth orbital program.…
“In
the initial stages, it would be used as a laboratory and later, it could
be converted to a logistics system.” AORL, MORL, and LORL were in oompetition
with each other, he said, and a decision would have to be made among them.
USAF’s Gemini B/Manned Orbiting Laboratory was being studied as possible
integral element of Orbital Research Laboratory program. -
Aeronautical
and Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 145.
 This
the classic space station image from the movie 2001:a Space Odyssey, directed
by Stanley Kubrick in 1968. Praised for its special effects, the movie
based its space station concept on Wernher Von Braun's model. Kubrick's
station in the movie was 900 feet in diameter, orbited 200 miles above
Earth, and was home to an international contingent of scientists, passengers,
and bureaucrats. (Credit: NASA.)
This picture illustrates a concept of a 33-Foot-Diameter Space Station
Leading to a Space Base. In-house work of the Marshall Space Flight Center,
as well as a Phase B contract with the McDornel Douglas Astronautics Company,
resulted in a preliminary design for a space station in 1969 and l970.
The Marshall-McDonnel Douglas approach envisioned the use of two common
modules as the core configuration of a 12-man space station. Each common
module was 33 feet in diameter and 40 feet in length and provided the building
blocks, not only for the space station, but also for a 50-man space base.
Coupled together, the two modules would form a four-deck facility: two
decks for laboratories and two decks for operations and living quarters.
Zero-gravity would be the normal mode of operation, although the station
would have an artificial gravity capability. This general-purpose orbital
facility was to provide wide-ranging research capabilities. The design
of the facility was driven by the need to accommodate a broad spectrum
of activities in support of astronomy, astrophysics, aerospace medicine,
biology, materials processing, space physics, and space manufacturing.
To serve the needs of Earth observations, the station was to be placed
in a 242-nautical-mile orbit at a 55-degree inclination. An Intermediate-21
vehicle (comprised of Saturn S-IC and S-II stages) would have launched
the station in 1977. (Credit: GSFC.)
This is an illustration of the Space Base concept. In-house work of
the Marshall Space Flight Center, as well as a Phase B contract with the
McDornel Douglas Astronautics Company, resulted in a preliminary design
for a space station in 1969 and l970. The Marshall-McDonnel Douglas approach
envisioned the use of two common modules as the core configuration of a
12-man space station. Each common module was 33 feet in diameter and 40
feet in length and provided the building blocks, not only for the space
station, but also for a 50-man space base. Coupled together, the two modules
would form a four-deck facility: two decks for laboratories and two decks
for operations and living quarters. Zero-gravity would be the normal mode
of operation, although the station would have an artificial-gravity capability.
This general-purpose orbital facility was to provide wide-ranging research
capabilities. The design of the facility was driven by the need to accommodate
a broad spectrum of activities in support of astronomy, astrophysics, aerospace
medicine, biology, materials processing, space physics, and space manufacturing.
To serve the needs of Earth observations, the station was to be placed
in a 242-nautical-mile orbit at a 55-degree inclination. An Intermediate-21
vehicle (comprised of Saturn S-IC and S-II stages) would have launched
the station in 1977. (Credit: GSFC.)
January 21-22, 1971: Mockup of 12-man space station
concept being studied by McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. for NASA was
inspected by 100 Government and industry representatives attending quarterly
review at Marshall Space Flight Center. Mockup was 10 metres in diameter
and 15 metres tall, with four decks and large simulated power section.
Concept called for tunnel section in center with 3-metre diameter. -
Astronautics
And Aeronautics, 1971, p. 10-1.
 This
is an illustration of the Space Base concept. In-house work of the Marshall
Space Flight Center, as well as a Phase B contract with the McDornel Douglas
Astronautics Company, resulted in a preliminary design for a space station
in 1969 and l970. The Marshall-McDonnel Douglas approach envisioned
the use of two common modules as the core configuration of a 12-man space
station. Each common module was 33 feet in diameter and 40 feet in length
and provided the building blocks, not only for the space station, but also
for a 50-man space base. Coupled together, the two modules would form a
four-deck facility: two
decks for laboratories and two decks for operations and
living quarters. Zero-gravity would be the normal mode of operation, although
the station would have an artificial-gravity capability. This general-purpose
orbital facility was to provide wide-ranging research capabilities. The
design of the facility was driven by the need to accommodate a broad spectrum
of activities in support of astronomy, astrophysics, aerospace medicine,
biology, materials processing, space physics, and space manufacturing.
To serve the needs of Earth observations, the station was to be placed
in a 242-nautical-mile orbit at a
55-degree inclination. An Intermediate-21 vehicle (comprised
of Saturn S-IC and S-II stages) would have launched the station in 1977.
(MSFC-0102169)
This is an artist's concept of a modular space station. In 1970 the
Marshall Space Flight Center arnounced the completion of a study concerning
a modular space station that could be launched by the planned-for reusable
Space Shuttle. The study envisioned a space station composed of cylindrical
sections 14 feet in diameter and of varying lengths joined to form any
one of a number of possible shapes. The sections were restricted to 14
feet in diameter and 58 feet in length to be consistent with a shuttle
cargo bay size of 15 by 60 feet. Center officials said that the first elements
of the space station could be in orbit by about 1978 and could be manned
by three or six men. This would be an interim space station with sections
that could be added later to form a full 12-man station by the early 1980s.
(Credit: MSFC.)
 June
8, 1976: This is what an artist envisioned the Solar Power Satellite would
look like. Shown is the assembly of a microwave transmission antenna. The
solar power satellite was to be located in a geosynchronous orbit, 36,000
miles above the Earth's surface. (Credit: NASA.)
 A
1977 concept drawing for a space station. Known as the "spider" concept,
this station was designed to use Space Shuttle hardware. A solar array
was to be unwound from the exhausted main fuel tank. The structure could
then be formed and assembled in one operation. The main engine tank would
then be used as a space operations control center, a Shuttle astronaut
crew habitat, and a space operations focal point for missions to the Moon
and Mars. Credit: NASA.)
 CJanuary
1956: This McDonnell-Douglas concept drawing depicts a robotic arm controlled
by an astronaut. The arm is being used to maneuver a new addition to the
space station into place. The robotic arm was to have been essential to
building the space station in orbit. (Credit: NASA.)
 This
is the Johnson Space Center's 1984 "roof" concept for a space station.
The "roof" was covered with solar array cells, that were to generate about
120 kilowatts of electricity. Within the V-shaped beams there would be
five modules for living, laboratory space, and external areas for instruments
and other facilities. (Credit: NASA.)
 June
19, 1986: This is an artist's conception of the proposed "Power Tower"
space station configuration, shown with the Japanese Experiment Module
attached. This model and several others were examined before deciding on
the Space Station Freedom structure that was later abandoned in favor of
the International Space Station. (Credit: NASA.)
 December
1, 1986: The image shows two astronauts practicing construction techniques
to build Space Station in Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) at Marshall
Space Center (MSFC)in 1985, early in the Space Station program. NASA began
operating the NBS at MSFC in 1968. The NBS provided an excellent weightlessness
environment to astronauts and engineers for testing hardware designed to
operate in space while also affording the opportunity to evaluate techniques
that were used in space to assemble structures such as Skylab, Hubble Space
Telescope and the International Space Station. The NBS tank is 75 feet
in diameter, 40 feet deep, and contains 1.3 million gallons of water, and
can accommodates structures as large as the 43-foot Hubble Space Telescope
mockup. Engineers direct NBS activities from a state-of-the-art control
room located on the first floor adjacent to the tank. (Credit: NASA.)
 A
1969 station concept. The station was to rotate on its central axis to
produce artificial gravity. The majority of early space station concepts
created artificial gravity one way or another in order to simulate a more
natural or familiar environment for the health of the astronauts. After
returning micro-gravity environment, astronauts find their muscles weak
because they have not been using them. Long-term exposure to micro-gravity
could generate long-term health problems for astronauts who do not utilize
their muscles. This is why there are exercise machines on space shuttles
and on the International Space Station. It was to be assembled on-orbit
from spent Apollo program stages. (Credit: NASA.)
 
August 1, 1989: In response to President Reagan's directive to NASA
to develop a permanent marned Space Station within a decade, part of the
State of the Union message to Congress on January 25, 1984, NASA and the
Administration adopted a phased approach to Station development. This approach
provided an initial capability at reduced costs, to be followed by an enhanced
Space Station capability in the future. This illustration depicts the baseline
configuration, which features a 110-meter-long horizontal boom with four
pressurized modules attached in the middle. Located at each end are four
photovoltaic arrays generating a total of 75-kW of power. Two attachment
points for external payloads are provided along this boom. The four pressurized
modules include the following: A laboratory and habitation module provided
by the United States; two additional laboratories, one each provided by
the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan; and an ESA-provided Man-Tended
Free Flyer, a pressurized module capable of operations both attached to
and separate from the Space Station core. Canada was expected to provide
the first increment of a Mobile Serving System. (Credit: GSFC.)
:
In 1982, the Space Station Task Force was formed, signaling the initiation
of the Space Station Freedom Program, and eventually resulting in the Marshall
Space Flight Center's responsibilities for Space Station Work Package 1.
(Credit: MSFC.)
 A
concept drawing of Space Station Freedom. Freedom was to be a permanently
crewed orbiting base in orbit to be completed in the mid 1990's. It was
to have a crew of 4. Freedom was an attempt at international cooperation
that attempted to incorporate the technological and economic assistance,
of the United States, Canada, Japan, and nine European nations. The image
shows four pressurized modules (three laboratories and a habitat module)
and six large solar arrays which were expected to generate 56,000 watts
of electricity for both scientific experiments and the daily operation
of the station. Space Station Freedom never came to fruition. Instead,
in 1993, the original partners, as well as Russia, pooled their resources
to create the International Space Station. (Credit: NASA.)
 Alan
Chinchar's 1991 rendition of the Space Station Freedom in orbit. The painting
depicts the completed space station. Earth is used as the image's backdrop
with the Moon and Mars off in the distance. Freedom was to be a permanently
crewed orbiting base to be completed in the mid 1990's. It was to have
a crew of 4. Freedom was an attempt at international cooperation that attempted
to incorporate the technological and economic assistance, of the United
States, Canada, Japan, and nine European nations. The image shows four
pressurized modules (three laboratories and a habitat module) and six large
solar arrays which were expected to generate 56,000 watts of electricity
for both scientific experiments and the daily operation of the station.
Space Station Freedom never came to fruition. Instead, in 1993, the original
partners, as well as Russia, pooled their resources to create the International
Space Station. (Credit: NASA.)
This artist's concept depicts the Space Station Freedom as it would
look orbiting the Earth, illustrated by Marshall Space Flight Center artist,
Tom Buzbee. Scheduled to be completed in late 1999, this smaller configuration
of the Space Station featured a horizontal truss structure that supported
U.S., European, and Japanese Laboratory Modules; the U.S. Habitation Module;
and three sets of solar arrays. The Space Station Freedom was an international,
permanently marned, orbiting base to be assembled in orbit by a series
of Space Shuttle missions that were to begin in the mid-1990's. (Credit:
MSFC.)
This artist's concept depicts the Space Station Freedom as it would
look orbiting the Earth; illustrated by Marshall Space Flight Center artist,
Tom Buzbee. Scheduled to be completed in late 1999, this smaller configuration
of the Space Station features a horizontal truss structure that supported
U.S., European, and Japanese Laboratory Modules; the U.S. Habitation Module;
and three sets of solar arrays. The Space Station Freedom was an international,
permanently marned, orbiting base to be assembled in orbit by a series
of Space Shuttle missions that were to begin in the mid-1990's. (Credit:
MSFC.)
An artist's conception of what the final configuration of the International
Space Station (ISS) will look like when it is fully built and deployed.
The ISS is a multidisciplinary laboratory, technology test bed, and observatory
that will provide an unprecedented undertaking in scientific, technological,
and international experimentation. (Credit: MSFC.)
April 20, 1994: An artist's concept of a fully deployed International
Space Station (ISS) Alpha. The ISS-A is a multidisciplinary laboratory,
technology test bed, and observatory that will provide an unprecedented
undertaking in scientific, technological, and international experiments.
(Credid: MSFC.)
September 21, 1994: Artist's concept of the final configuration of
the International Space Station (ISS) Alpha. The ISS is a multidisciplinary
laboratory, technology test bed, and observatory that will provide an unprecedented
undertaking in scientific, technological, and international experimentation
(Credit: MSFC.)
Phase II of the International Space Station (ISS) concept is shown
here with the Space Shuttle docked to it. The Station is shown here in
its completed and fully operational state with elements from the United
States, Europe, Canada, Japan, and Russia. Sixteen countries are cooperating
to provide a multidisciplinary laboratory, technology test bed, and observatory
that will provide an unprecedented undertaking in scientific, technological,
and international experimentation. (Credit: MSFC.)
February 1, 1995 : An artist's concept of what the International Space
Station (ISS)Alpha will look like in its completed and fully operational
state. All the elements of the Station are shown - the United States, European,
Japanese, and Russian. The artist also included the Space Shuttle in the
docked position. Sixteen countries are cooperating to provide a multidisciplinary
laboratory, technology test bed, and observatory that will provide an unprecedented
undertaking in scientific, technological, and international experimentation.
(Credit: GSFC.)
April 17, 1995: A concept of the International Space Station (ISS)
Phase III with Space Shuttle being docked. ISS, a gateway to permanent
human presence in space, is a multidisciplinary laboratory, technology
test bed, and observatory that will provide an unprecedented undertaking
in scientific, technological, and international experimentation provided
by sixteen countries. (Credit: MSFC.)
April 17, 1995: International Cooperation Phase III: A Space Shuttle
docked to the International Space Station (ISS) in this computer generated
representation of the ISS in its completed and fully operational state
with elements from the U.S., Europe, Canada, Japan, and Russia. (Credit:
GSFC.)
July 11, 1995: Artist's concept for Phase III of the International
Space Station (ISS) as shown here in its completed and fully operational
state with elements from the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, and
Russia. Sixteen countries are cooperating to provide a multidisciplinary
laboratory, technology test bed, and observatory that will provide an unprecedented
undertaking in scientific, technological, and international experimentation.
(Credit: MSFC.)
Photograph shows the International Space Station Laboratory Module under
fabrication at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Building 4708 West
High Bay. Although management of the U.S. elements for the Station were
consolidated in 1994, module and node development continued at MSFC by
Boeing Company, the prime contractor for the Space Station. (Credit: MSFC.)
Artist's digital concept of the International Space Station (ISS),
a gateway to permanent human presence in space, after all assembly is completed
in Year 2003. The Station will be powered by almost an acre of solar panels
and have a mass of almost one million pounds. Station modules are being
provided by the United States, Russia, Japan, and Europe. Canada is providing
a mechanical arm and Canada Hand. Sixteen countries are cooperating to
provide a multidisciplinary laboratory, technology test bed, and observatory
that will provide an unprecedented undertaking in scientific, technological,
and international experimentation. (Credit: MSFC.)
April 15, 2004 (?): Pictured is an artist's concept of the International
Space Station (ISS) with solar panels fully deployed. In addition to the
use of solar energy, the ISS will employ at least three types of propulsive
support systems for its operation. The first type is to reboost the Station
to correct orbital altitude to offset the effects of atmospheric and other
drag forces. The second function is to maneuver the ISS to avoid collision
with oribting bodies (space junk). The third is for attitude control to
position the Station in the proper attitude for various experiments, temperature
control, reboost, etc. The ISS, a gateway to permanent human presence in
space, is a multidisciplinary laboratory, technology test bed, and observatory
that will provide an unprecedented undertaking in scientific, technological,
and international experimentation by cooperation of sixteen countries (Credit:
MSFC.)
(C) Claude Lafleur, 2013 |