“This designer’s conception shows some of the applications of an advanced Space Operations Center, currently being studied by Boeing Aerospace Company for NASA. This advanced version of the spaceport shows the Space Shuttle unloading some of the modules which would comprise the system. Those modules include living and command control quarters; warehouses for food, water and hydrazine, and service areas containing batteries and other necessary supplies. Other areas of this advanced concept include hangars for spacecraft, solar panels to provide power for the station, and construction equipment to handle large structures. The large structure containing several antenna reflectors is a communications platform which is about to be assembled to an Orbital Transfer Vehicle for a flight to a higher orbit in space.”
Note the interesting truss-work crane/RMS-like device, complete with grappling arms(?), directly "above" the nose of the orbiter. Although the grappling arms, if that’s even what they are, appear to be extending from a secondary, smaller truss-like structure…so I’ve probably misidentified this thing. To complete the descent into this particular hole, the two antennae-looking protrusions, also in the immediate vicinity, look like the work lights associated with Grumman’s Manned Remote Work Station. So, that’s what’s going on here…my final answer. 😉
8.5” x 11”.
Another gorgeous work by Boeing’s John J. Olson. I find the “sketchy/first draft/work-in-progress” appearance to be interesting, this being just one of several like this that I’ve posted.
See also:
spacearchitect.org/portfolio-item/boeing-space-station-de...
Specifically:
spacearchitect.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/1-Space-Ope...
Both above credit: SpaceArchitect.org. website
www.astronautix.com/s/spaceoperationscenter.html
Specifically:
www.astronautix.com/graphics/s/soc81nw.jpg
Both above credit: Astronautix website