fut_v_c_o_AKP (NASA S-69-4053)
"Proposed space transportation system is a multi-mission oriented concept. Space shuttle, at upper left, releases an unmanned observatory. The space station in modularized form is at right. The precursor Saturn 5 workshop is at lower left.”
The above caption is associated with the same exact image, posted Sep. 19, 2018, by user "hesham" at the SECRET PROJECTS FORUM website. Although not specified, the image & caption are possibly from an unidentified issue of AW&ST magazine:
At:
www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/us-space-shuttle-project...
Another identical image, other than the “unmanned observatory” deployment, and linked to below, bears the following description on the verso:
“SPACE STATION---Artist concept of an Earth-orbiting space station as planned by National Aeronautics and Space Administration engineers. A station similar to this will provide broad support for such Earth resource activities as oceanography, meteorology and geophysics. It is capable of supporting biomedical laboratories, physical science laboratories, and solar and stellar observatories. Free-flying modules containing special scientific equipment might orbit near the station. Scientists will travel to the science module in miniature taxis or tugs. The modular concept shown here will have both zero and artificial gravity. It will be able to accommodate between 12 and 50 scientific and technical personnel and it will orbit the Earth at approximately [225?] nautical miles altitude. By adding more modules, the station can become a base from which planetary missions can depart. A station similar to this might also be placed in lunar orbit to support future exploration of the Moon. It will have a Ward Room for crew off-duty activities, food preparation and dining. There will be individual Crew Quarters, Docking and Cargo-Handling [unreadable, if even present]. The crew will probably be rotated at three to six-month intervals. They will be ferried to the station in a shuttle vehicle which will have the capability of landing at airports as do the present-day passenger aircraft. Electric power will come from solar panels or small nuclear [reactors/generators?]. [Launch?] of the initial module could come as early as [1985/86?]. Because of its size, the station will be visible to the naked eye. It [will be visible?] as far north as Ketchikan, Alaska, [and as far south as?] [unreadable] in South America."
Yet another near identical image, sans the “unmanned observatory” deployment, is also linked to below. It may be an earlier version, with different markings visible on the shuttle vehicles.
Finally, as with my previous posting, the ‘framing’ of the image reveals the artist. That being NASA’s Jerry L. Elmore, who, in my world, is most recognized for his memorable renderings of the Apollo 15, 16 & 17 landing sites. Those made ‘famous’ by being featured in the Tang fold-out posters. Another WIN.
And…neither here nor there, but the small land masses are the islands of the Bahamas.
fut_v_c_o_AKP (NASA S-69-4053)
"Proposed space transportation system is a multi-mission oriented concept. Space shuttle, at upper left, releases an unmanned observatory. The space station in modularized form is at right. The precursor Saturn 5 workshop is at lower left.”
The above caption is associated with the same exact image, posted Sep. 19, 2018, by user "hesham" at the SECRET PROJECTS FORUM website. Although not specified, the image & caption are possibly from an unidentified issue of AW&ST magazine:
At:
www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/us-space-shuttle-project...
Another identical image, other than the “unmanned observatory” deployment, and linked to below, bears the following description on the verso:
“SPACE STATION---Artist concept of an Earth-orbiting space station as planned by National Aeronautics and Space Administration engineers. A station similar to this will provide broad support for such Earth resource activities as oceanography, meteorology and geophysics. It is capable of supporting biomedical laboratories, physical science laboratories, and solar and stellar observatories. Free-flying modules containing special scientific equipment might orbit near the station. Scientists will travel to the science module in miniature taxis or tugs. The modular concept shown here will have both zero and artificial gravity. It will be able to accommodate between 12 and 50 scientific and technical personnel and it will orbit the Earth at approximately [225?] nautical miles altitude. By adding more modules, the station can become a base from which planetary missions can depart. A station similar to this might also be placed in lunar orbit to support future exploration of the Moon. It will have a Ward Room for crew off-duty activities, food preparation and dining. There will be individual Crew Quarters, Docking and Cargo-Handling [unreadable, if even present]. The crew will probably be rotated at three to six-month intervals. They will be ferried to the station in a shuttle vehicle which will have the capability of landing at airports as do the present-day passenger aircraft. Electric power will come from solar panels or small nuclear [reactors/generators?]. [Launch?] of the initial module could come as early as [1985/86?]. Because of its size, the station will be visible to the naked eye. It [will be visible?] as far north as Ketchikan, Alaska, [and as far south as?] [unreadable] in South America."
Yet another near identical image, sans the “unmanned observatory” deployment, is also linked to below. It may be an earlier version, with different markings visible on the shuttle vehicles.
Finally, as with my previous posting, the ‘framing’ of the image reveals the artist. That being NASA’s Jerry L. Elmore, who, in my world, is most recognized for his memorable renderings of the Apollo 15, 16 & 17 landing sites. Those made ‘famous’ by being featured in the Tang fold-out posters. Another WIN.
And…neither here nor there, but the small land masses are the islands of the Bahamas.