NASA TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NASA TM X-53973 SPACE FLIGHT EVOLUTION By Georg von Tiesenhausen and Terry H. Sharpe Advanced Systems Analysis Office June 30,1970 NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Malshall Space Flight Center, Alabama MSFC - Form 3190 (September 1968) j NASA TM X-53973 I [. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. REPORT DATE June 30,1970 Space Flight Evolution 6. PERFORMlNG ORGANIZATION CODE PD-SA 7. AUTHOR(S) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT # Georg von Tiesenhausen and Terry H. Sharpe I 3. PERFORMlNG ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS lo. WORK UNIT, NO. Advanced Systems Analysis Office Program Development 1 1. CONTRACT OR GRANT NO. Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 13. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVEREC 2. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS Technical Memorandum 14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE I 15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 16. ABSTRACT This report describes a possible comprehensive path of future, space flight evolution. The material in part originated from earlier NASA efforts to defme a space program in which earth orbital, lunar, and planetary programs are integrated. The material presented is not related to specific time schedules but provides an evolutionary sequence. The concepts of commonality of hardware and reusability of systems are introduced as keys to a low cost approach to space flight. The verbal descriptions are complemented by graphic interpretations in order to convey a more vivid impression of the concepts and ideas which make upthis program. 17. KEY WORDS 18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT STAR Announcement Advanced Systems Analysis Office 19. SECURITY CLASSIF. (of this rePmt> (20. SECURITY CLA ;IF. (of this page) 121. NO. OF PAGES 122. PRICE Unclassified Unclassified I ! 108 I $3.00 I I I WFC - Form 3292 (by 1969) PREFACE This report, which is a set of briefing charts with text, has been prepared to describe the concepts and objectives of an evolutionary space program. With the exception of the early Skylab, the missions presented in this report are not approved but are in various study phases. Any future mission implementation will certainly change the appearance given to them here; however, text and illustrations attempt to give typical interpretations of future space missions and operations. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Many contributions and suggestions to this report were made by various elements of Program Development and Administration and Technical Services. Without the valuable critiques and comments of numerous individuals, this report would not be as complete and coherent as we hope it to be. We are especially indebted to the advice and support provided by Dr. W. R. Lucas, Director, Program Development. Mr. W. G.Huber, Director, Advanced Systems Analysis Office, provided encourage- ment, guidance, and support during the entire program analysis phase and preparation of this report. Their guidance and support made this report possible. Other key contributors are listed below: Mr. D. C. Crarnblit Orbital Systems Mr. R. J. Harris Planetary and Nuclear Systems Mr. J. W. Russell Planetary and Nuclear Systems Mr. R. E. Austin Planetary and Nuclear Systems Mr. W. D. Powers Lunar Systems Mr. A. G. Orillion Transportation Systems Mr. 0.C. Jean Transportation Systems Mr. R. E. Valentine Systems Analysis Mr. B. B. Beazley Systems Analysis Mr. C. H. Rutland Systems Analysis Mr. J. A. Downey Science and Technology Mr. H. P. Gierow Science and Technology Recognition should also be given to the many illustrators who made significant contributions to the graphic portion of the report. Special recognition should be given to Mr. E. D. Cagle for his unique and creative contributions in chart definition and overall supervision, and to Mr. H. R. Melson of RCA for his untiring effort in chart layout and coordination of visual aids. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION ................................................. 1 APPROACHTOSPACEFLIGHT ....................................... UTILIZATION OF CURRENT HARDWARE ............................... SKYLAB ....................................................... SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY .EARLY PERIOD ..................... EARCYNEWSYSTEMS ............................................. SPACESTATION ................................................. SPACE STATION MODULE COMMONALITY ............................... SPACESHUTTLELAUNCH ........................................... SPACESHUTTLELAUNCH/RECOVERY ................................. SPACESHUTTLEORBITER ......................................... SPACESIjUTTLEAPPLICATIONS ..................................... LUNAR ORBIT STATION ........................................... SPACE TUGILUNAR APPLICATIONS ................................... SPACE TUGIEARTH ORBIT APPLICATIONS ............................... SPACE TUG REFUELING IN EARTH ORBIT ............................... SPACE TUG WITH PAYLOAD DELIVERY IN LOW EARTH ORBIT ............... SPACEPROBELAUNCH ............................................. SPACE TUGICREW MODULE ......................................... SATELLITEREPAIR ............................................... SPACETUGMISSIONS ............................................. USE OF TUG TO AUGMENT SHUTTLE CAPABILITY ....................... TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) PW SPACE TUG/CREW MODULE APPLICATION ............................. 44 EVOLUTIONOFADVANCEDSYSTEMS ................................. 46 NUCLEARSHUTTLE ............................................... 48 NUCLEAR SHUTTLE MISSION ....................................... 50 NUCLEAR SHUTTLE LOGISTICS CONFIGURATION ......................... 52 NUCLEARSHUTTLEREFUELING ..................................... 54 EARTH ORBIT CARGO TRANSFER ..................................... 56 LUNARSURFACEBASE ........................................... 58 LUNAR ORBIT OPERATIONS ......................................... 60 SPACE SCIENCE ANb TECHNOLOGY .INTERMEDIATE PERIOD ............... 62 REUSEANDCOMMONALITY ......................................... 64 ADVANCED MISSIONS .SUMMARY ................................... 66 ADVANCED MISSIONS .FURTHER EVOLUTION ......................... 68 PLANETARY MISSION EVOLUTION ................................... 70 SPACEBASE ..................................................... 72 SPACEBASEOPERATIONS ......................................... 74 MARS LANDING MISSION PROFILE ................................... 76 EARTHORBITDEPARTURE ......................................... 78 RELEASEOFVENUSPROBE ......................................... 80 MARSSURFACESAMPLERETURN ..................................... 82 MARS INITIAL LANDING ........................................... 84 MARS EXCURSION MODULE CONFIGURATION ........................... 86 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Concluded) Page SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - LATE PERIOD ......................... 88 MISSION EVOLUTION THROUGH HARDWARE COMMONALITY ................. 90 SPACEFLIGHTEVOLUTION ........................................... 92 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Title 1. Approach to space flight .................................... 2 . Utilization of current hardware ................................ 3 . Skylab ................................................ 4 . Science and technology .early period .......................... 5 . Early new systems ........................................ 6 . Space station ............................................ 7 . Space station module commonality .............................. 8 . Space shuttle launch ...................................... 9 . Space shuttle launch/recovery ................................ 10. Space shuttle orbiter ...................................... 11. Space shuttle applications .................................... 12. Lunar orbit station- ........................................ 13. Space tugllunar applications .................................. 14. Space tuglearth orbit applications .............................. 15 . Space tug refueling in earth orbit .............................. 16. Space tug with payload delivery in low earth orbit .................. 17. Space probe launch ........................................ 18. Space tuglcrew module ...................................... 19. Satellite repair .......................................... 20 . Space tug missions ........................................ 41 21 . Use of tug to augment shuttle capability .......................... 43 22 . Space tug/crew module application .............................. 45 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (Continued) Figure Title Page 23 . Evolution of advanced systems ............................... 47 24 . Nuclear shuttle ......................................... 49 25 . Nuclear shuttle mission ..................................... 51 26 . Nuclear shuttle/logistics configuration ........................... 53 27 . Nuclear shuttle refueling ................................... 55 28 . Earth orbit cargo transfer ................................... 57 29 . Lunar surface base ....................................... 59 30 . Lunar orbit operations ..................................... 61 31. Science and technology .intermediate period ..................... 63 32 . Reuse and commonality ................................... 65 33 . Advanced missions .summary ............................... 67 Advanced missions .further evolution ......................... 69 Planetary mission evolution ................................. 71 Spacebase ............................................. 73 Space base operations ..................................... 75 Mars landing mission profile (1986) ..........................