Low-cost shuttle-derived space station

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.