The Potential Development of Spacelab Towards the Space Stations
Abstract
The potential development of the Shuttle/Spacelab system and Spacelab to meet the requirements of space commercialization and industrialization and possible later colonization is discussed. The present Space Transportation System, comprising the Space Shuttle and Spacelab, and its projected performance and missions are presented, and the requirements of future users for longer orbital durations, higher onboard power, increased heat rejection capabilities and computer memory, and greater Instrument Pointing System flexibility are indicated. The NASA and ESA follow-on development programs to meet these projected requirements are outlined, and the concepts of an advanced captive Spacelab, a free-flying Spacelab module, and a Spacelab module as an element of a complex space platform or space station are examined in detail.
- Publication:
-
Journal of the British Interplanetary Society
- Pub Date:
- April 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980JBIS...33..138V
- Keywords:
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- Configuration Management;
- Mission Planning;
- Space Erectable Structures;
- Space Shuttle Payloads;
- Space Stations;
- Spacelab;
- Space Commercialization;
- Spacecraft Configurations;
- Spacecraft Environments;
- Spacecraft Modules;
- Spacecrews;
- Technological Forecasting;
- Technology Utilization;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles