Manned orbital space station studied

Operations of a proposed science and applications space platform (SASP) under consideration by NASA are described, including modifications of the STS to place larger payloads in orbit and also to add manned modules to the SASP. The platform is intended to provide power, data handling, a heat radiator, etc. for various instrument packages, thereby reducing the number of separate orbiting spacecraft. The SASP would also be equipped with a reboost module for compensating for the effects of gravity and atmospheric drag. Modifications to the system to provide a manned capacity include an airlock adaptor, a solar power system, and a habitat, besides a docking cylinder for the Orbiter. Further augmentations could be an emergency reentry vehicle similar to the Apollo, a three month supply of food, tools, and experimentation modules adapted from the Spacelab.