GeSp2931

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Number: 2931 Name: CENTRISTATION IV

Address: J.E.D.CLINE1 Date: 930403

Approximate # of bytes: 4666

Number of Accesses: 15 Library: 3

Description:

A concept for a relatively low-cost space station which

goes far beyond the current space station's purposes.

Would consist of a pair of prefab toroids in LEO,

one a zero-g facility and module platform, and the other

toroid spinning for artificial gravity inside, as a

co-ed crew living quarters and biospheric r&D facility.

The toroid's are built of segments, which are first prefab

for wet launch, assembled and tested on the ground, then

modules are separated and sequentially wet-launched by a reuseable

winged engine control module of space shuttle technology.

Keywords: spacestation, centristation,toroid,settlement,biosphere

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CENTRISTATION IV: ECONOMICAL MULTI-GOAL SPACE STATION

By J. E. D. Cline

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT:

Centristation IV consists of a pair of adjacent toroids in low earth

orbit, one is a relatively earth-normal living quarters & biosphere,

and the other a zero-g facility. The toroids are built of prefab

segments, which are built and tested on the ground first, then

dissassembled and sequentially wet-launched into LEO by a reuseable

winged engine/control module.

The living quarters is a small spinning hard-shell toroidal space

station/colony, with 1-gee internal for earth-normal living inside.

The zero-g basic facility is a similar, but non-spinning toroidal

shell structure, with internal sealed areas as well as being a rigid

platform for mounting of external modules.

The prefab construction, "wet" launch, and minimum modular assembly in

free fall is are unique parts of the concept. The segments of the

toroids are prefabricated, tested in use on the ground. Then

sequentially each toroidal segment dual compartments (appropriately

designed and constructed for wet launch) are filled with fuel &

oxidizer for use as the fuel tanks for its own launch into orbit, and

lifted into LEO by an unmanned winged engine/control module. After

orbital insertion and positioning of each segment, the winged

engine/control module is returned back to the earthsurface launch site

to lift the next toroidal segment/fuel tank.

VALUE:

Minimum launch costs, minimum orbital assembly, artificial gravity for

manned portions of living and working quarters, and small-scale

testing of toroidal space habitat concepts.

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS:

All components are either part of the spacestation toroid or are

re-used in subsequent launches. Provides hard-shell 1-gee living space

for co-ed crew and life supporting agriculture. Pre-assembled on the

ground, in adjusted gravity orientation, for extensive testing as a

multiperson co-ed living habitat. After insertion into LEO, the

segments are robotically moved together to form the toroid, linked

securely together, pressurized and spun up for 1-gee inside, all

before occupancy by the crew. Access to free-fall equipment is gained

through moving through spokes to the toroid's hub.

ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES:

Requires the design, engineering, and construction of a new launch

system mostly using proven technologies. Space shuttle type reuseable

liquid fueled engines, winged tiled reusable airframe. Skylab

technologies including pre-outfitting fuel tanks for use as orbiting

living quarters and workspace; fly-by-wire control systems, re-useable

strap-on booster engines; automatic or remotely guided free-fall

docking; biosphere artificial ecological system studies; harmonious

group studies.

RELATION TO MAJOR SPACE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

Provides a rigid basic structure for external material processing

modules; economical, high-quality living space for workers in LEO;

testing of key concepts essential to artificial gravity space

agricultural systems, and later is adaptable for lunar orbit, transit

to Mars, and placement in permanent Mars orbit.

This has suggested an alternative to the current FREEDOM type of space

station, which has been rejected due to excessive costs. This

alternative features low cost, much less environmental pollution

during launches, and in addition to providing zero-g basic materials

platformi, is a major step toward the real goal of space colonization

& space resource utilization.

The LOW COST derives from the use of prefab components, requiring very

little manned construction in free-fall, and the launch technology

being extremely efficient. All components except the launch fuel are

either re-used or are part of the space station.

The ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IS MINIMIZED by relatively few launches

being required for its component placement into LEO orbit.

It IS A MAJOR STEP ON THE WAY TO SPACE COLONIZATION because it

provides living quarters which test concepts of centrifugal artificial

gravity in one of the toroids. This project may be able to remind

humanity of the purpose of the space program, that of freeing mankind

from the ecological limitations of a closed earth surface system, and

removing much of the burden mankind has been placing on Mother Earth.

It PROVIDES ZERO-G FACILITIES because a second, adjacent torioid is

not spinning and thus provides the stiff shell structure for

attachment of various experiment modules that FREEDOM space station

would have provided.

REFERENCES:

GEnie Spaceport Library files # 1071, 1537, & 1718, by J.E.D.CLINE1.

An Excalator Hi page titled GeSp2931 by J E D Cline started on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 5:31:03 PM US/Pacific

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