Polar Platform -1987
The Space Station program would also include a large unmanned platform for Earth observation. NASA claimed this Polar Platform would utilize many of the same systems as the Station and be serviced by the Space Shuttle, although it would reside in a different (polar-) orbit than the main Station complex.
Credit: NASA via Marcus Lindroos
American manned space station. Study 1984. In order to increase the Space Station's and Space Shuttle's appeal, NASA tried to involve as many users as possible.
Hence the 1984 Space Station program would also include a large unmanned platform for Earth observation. NASA claimed this Polar Platform would utilize many of the same systems as the Station and be serviced by the Space Shuttle, although it would reside in a different (polar-) orbit than the main Station complex. The Polar Platform was finally transferred to the 'Mission to Planet Earth' remote sensing program in late 1990 when the Space Station's budget again was reduced.
Article by Marcus Lindroos
More... - Chronology...
US Space Stations Wernher von Braun brought Noordung's rotating station design with him from Europe. This he popularized in the early 1950's in selling manned space flight to the American public. By the late 1950's von Braun's team favoured the spent-stage concept - which eventually flew as Skylab. By the mid-1960's, NASA was concentrating on modular, purpose-built, zero-G stations. These eventually flew as the International Space Station. More...
Associated Launch Vehicles
Proton-K Russian orbital launch vehicle. Development of a three-stage version of the UR-500 was authorised in the decree of 3 August 1964. Decrees of 12 October and 11 November 1964 authorised development of the Almaz manned military space station and the manned circumlunar spacecraft LK-1 as payloads for the UR-500K. Remarkably, due to continuing failures, the 8K82K did not satisfactorily complete its state trials until its 61st launch (Salyut 6 / serial number 29501 / 29 September 1977). Thereafter it reached a level of launch reliability comparable to that of other world launch vehicles. More...
Shuttle American winged orbital launch vehicle. The manned reusable space system which was designed to slash the cost of space transport and replace all expendable launch vehicles. It did neither, but did keep NASA in the manned space flight business for 30 years. Redesign of the shuttle with reliability in mind after the Challenger disaster reduced maximum payload to low earth orbit from 27,850 kg to 24,400 kg. More...
Associated Manufacturers and Agencies
NASA American agency overseeing development of rockets and spacecraft. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, USA, USA. More...
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