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An alternate concept for expanding man's presence in spaceA logical next step after shuttle is a manned orbital service system (MOSS) consisting of a two-man crew module mated with a propulsion module. The resulting spacecraft would remain in low Earth orbit for months or years at a time conducting civil or military satellite servicing, experimental, or applications missions while being periodically supplied and refueled by Shuttle flights from the ground. The system would accumulate experience invaluable to the design of future large and more expensive spacecraft. Key features of the vehicle are versatility and mobility. With Centaur-type propulsion and a large payload, the MOSS could leave an initial orbit of 370 km (200 nmi) altitude and inclinations up to 56 deg, make a plane change of up to + or - 14 deg, reach altitudes to 5500 km (2970 nmi), and then return the payload to the original orbit altitude and inclination. Obviously, the size of the performance envelope varies with the payload and propulsion-unit selected. The MOSS can reach orbits and perform tasks not possible with Shuttle alone or with the much larger space stations currently being proposed.
Document ID
19840007104
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Hook, W. R. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Osborne, R. S. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 4, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1983
Subject Category
Space Transportation
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.15:84617
NASA-TM-84617
Accession Number
84N15172
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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