Comments on: NanoRacks outlines its private space station plans https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/nanoracks-outlines-its-private-space-station-plans/ Fri, 13 Apr 2018 00:32:22 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Edward https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/nanoracks-outlines-its-private-space-station-plans/#comment-1047756 Fri, 13 Apr 2018 00:32:22 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=51139#comment-1047756 The concept of using a spent propellant tank as an orbital space station/habitat/outpost is not new. This was proposed in the 1980s as a use for the spent Space Shuttle External Tank, rather than drop them into the Indian Ocean (and may have been proposed in the 1960s). There is some practical experience with the concept, as Skylab was built from an unlaunched Saturn third stage. What it takes to turn an upper stage into a usable outpost is known, but doing it to a spent stage in orbit is new.

After decades of people thinking along these lines, I am not surprised that someone again wants to try it.

Ease of assembly may not be the driving factor, as a robot could take weeks or months to make the spent stage habitable enough for humans to finish the job. Cost is likely a major driver, and the cost of building and launching the (relatively) heavy pressure vessel is already covered.

The article notes that ULA wants to reuse its next generation of upper stage, Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage (ACES).

The dream of reusing upper stages is old, and I hope that someone succeeds soon.

The Starpost website, linked in the article, notes that the team of companies is: NanoRacks, Space Systems/Loral, Altius Space Machines, and Space Adventures. Ixion’s team was NanoRacks, Space Systems/Loral, and United Launch Alliance. ULA seems to be missing from this new team, despite the outpost being made from their upper stage rocket.
https://www.starposts.space/

]]> By: Rodney https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/nanoracks-outlines-its-private-space-station-plans/#comment-1047609 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:45:08 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=51139#comment-1047609 What Atlas 5 upper stage has four engines? Most Atlas launches are to GTO which leaves the upper stage in a highly elliptical orbit from 400 km to 40,000 km. Not the kind of research orbit one would like; zipping through the Van Allen’s twice a day.

]]> By: Orion314 https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/nanoracks-outlines-its-private-space-station-plans/#comment-1047570 Wed, 11 Apr 2018 17:29:41 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=51139#comment-1047570 AGREE, I would think building a skylab outpost type on the ground and launch would be a lot easier than doing a complete remote retro fit in orbit by miles.

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