fut-spasta_v_c_o_AKP (NASA-S-69-1635, verso hand-annotated 70-927)

"A 1969 station concept. The station was to rotate on its central axis to produce artificial gravity. The majority of early space station concepts created artificial gravity one way or another in order to simulate a more natural or familiar environment for the health of the astronauts. After returning from a micro-gravity environment, astronauts find their muscles weak because they have not been using them. Long-term exposure to micro-gravity could generate long-term health problems for astronauts who do not utilize their muscles. This is why there are exercise machines on space shuttles and on the International Space Station. It was to be assembled on-orbit from spent Apollo program stages."

Obviously, the above is a relatively contemporary ‘composition’ and surprisingly okay. I wonder what the original was though. Although this isn’t, some other original printings must’ve been captioned…maybe.

The approaching ferry? capsule looks like an Apollo Command Module with a Mercury Recovery Compartment ‘appendage’. The space station actually appears to have the same spacecraft docked at both ends. In fact, the one on the right looks to be undocked. And I’m guessing the ring of ‘lights’, near the base of each are windows/portholes. If so, they’re good-sized craft.

This has long been an oft-reproduced & iconic rotating space station concept. I’ve always loved it…other than those lame motion/movement lines.
Thanks to James Vaughan’s posting (linked to below), this is a GAEC design/proposal, which helped to confirm that it’s the work of Craig Kavafes. A WIN!!! 👍👍👍

This, the following linked designs & my other linked Flickr photo below - based on the photo identification number - look to have been part of the same family/series of contractor concepts, proposals, etc., solicited/entertained by NASA ca. 1969:

www.aerospaceprojectsreview.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2...

www.aerospaceprojectsreview.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2...
Both above credit: the excellent Aerospace Projects Review website

In fact and in confirmation of such; in January - February 1969, NASA Administrator Thomas O. Paine oversaw the creation of a Space Station Task Force, a Space Station Steering Group, and an independent Space Station Review Group. These bodies prepared a Phase B Space Station Study Statement of Work (SOW), which NASA released to industry on 19 April 1969. So, I'm pretty sure these works are some of the responses/submittals to that SOW.

"The SOW solicited proposals to study a 12-man Space Station, the design of which would eventually serve as a building block for a 100-man Earth-orbital Space Base. The 12-man Station was to reach orbit on a Saturn V rocket in 1975 and to remain in operation for 10 years...
Grumman, North American Rockwell (NAR), and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Company (MDAC) submitted proposals in response to the SOW."

The above is a combination of paraphrasing & cut/paste from David S. F. Portree's superlative (as always) article at his wonderful "No Shortage of Dreams" blog. The entire informative content at:

spaceflighthistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/outpost-in-leo-mc...

Taken on: June 19, 2022

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