Space Station - Government and industry launch joint venture

After the development of the space transportation system over the last decade, the decision to launch a permanently manned space station was announced by President Reagan in his 1984 State of the Union Address. As a result of work performed by the Space Station Task Force created in 1982, NASA was able to present Congress with a plan for achieving the President's objective. The plan envisions a space station which would cost about $8 billion and be operational as early as 1992. The functions of the Space Station would include the servicing of satellites. In addition, the station would serve as a base for the construction of large space structures, and provide facilities for research and development. The Space Station design selected by NASA is the 'Power Tower', a 450-foot-long truss structure which will travel in orbit with its main axis perpendicular to the earth's surface. Attention is given to the living and working quarters for the crew, the location of earth observation equipment and astronomical instruments, and details regarding the employment of the Station.