Circa 1969 North American Rockwell (NAR) artist’s concept of a ‘Phase B’ solar powered Modular Space Station (MSS).
One of many exquisite, meticulous & highly detailed masterpieces by NAA’s/NAR’s supremely talented Henry Lozano Jr.
Although, the depiction of crew & furnishings is that of a ‘gravity environment’. And in this configuration of the MSS, I don’t see how that’s possible. I’m sure there’s good reason, and even if not, who cares. It even has the apparently obligatory showering dude ass shot! More modest than others, with the shower ‘stall’ up against the far wall..with a foreground cutaway wall discreetly blocking some of his crack.
Per North American Rockwell Space Division’s “MODULAR SPACE STATION, PHASE B EXTENSION, THIRD QUARTERLY REVIEW”, MSC-02467, SD 71-576, dated November 4, 1971:
“STUDY PROGRAM EVOLUTION
The initial Phase B definition study of the 33-foot diameter station began in September 1969. The program viewed a large space base becoming operational in the early 1980's. The space station, ready for mission operation in 1975, was a precursor element of the space base. Manned planetary missions were projected for the mid-1980's and both space station and base contributed technology, systems, and modules to these missions.
As the space shuttle program definition progressed, the space station study program changed. In January 1970 the program viewed a large space base in the mid or late 1980's with only a technological relationship to the space station which was to begin operations in 1977. By July of 1970, modular concepts of a space station compatible with space shuttle delivery were introduced. In March of 1971 the program viewed modular stations in the 1980's preceded by individual shuttle sortie missions.”
And, specifically with regard to the MSS configuration depicted:
“The solar-powered space station was designed as a single self-contained facility with a minimum operating life of 10 years, capable of supporting a crew of 12 for extended periods. The design incorporated a high degree of flexibility and capability to accommodate a multi-disciplinary experiment and applications program. Internal laboratory capability was provided, including experiment airlocks, for general-purpose applications. Subsystem support accommodated operation of special-purpose experiment modules either attached to the station or as free-flying modules. The solar array/battery system provided ample power for operating the experiments and the station subsystems. Provisions were made in the power boom design for maintenance of turret equipment and for replacement of solar arrays. The subsystems in the large core module were arranged to provide two isolatable volumes with redundant access routes to maintain crew safety. The station module was launched as a complete operable assembly on a single Saturn launch vehicle. The space shuttle provided logistics support for crew, experiments, and experiment module delivery.
Above & much more at, finally:
ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19720015254/downloads/1972001...
Additional pertinent, informative & wonderful information, with other images, at the following sites:
spaceflighthistory.blogspot.com/2015/10/an-alternative-st...
Credit: David S. F. Portree/”No Shortage of Dreams” blog
www.projectrho.com/public_html/rocket/spacestations.php#n...
Credit: “ATOMIC ROCKETS” website
Finally, as part of the larger picture:
During January - February 1969, NASA Administrator Thomas O. Paine oversaw the creation of a Space Station Task Force, a Space Station Steering Group, and an independent Space Station Review Group. These bodies prepared a Phase B Space Station Study Statement of Work (SOW), which NASA released to industry on 19 April 1969. So, I'm pretty sure this is one of the responses/submittals to that SOW.
"The SOW solicited proposals to study a 12-man Space Station, the design of which would eventually serve as a building block for a 100-man Earth-orbital Space Base. The 12-man Station was to reach orbit on a Saturn V rocket in 1975 and to remain in operation for 10 years...
Grumman, North American Rockwell (NAR), and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Company (MDAC) submitted proposals in response to the SOW."
The above is a combination of paraphrasing & cut/paste from David S. F. Portree's superlative (as always) article at his wonderful "No Shortage of Dreams" blog. The entire wonderfully informative content at:
spaceflighthistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/outpost-in-leo-mc...
