+ 1970 News Releases (7.6 Mb PDF file) - NASA

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N.-,,IONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
MANNEDSPACECRAFT
H°ust°n
483-5111 MSC 70-35
March 27, 1970
HOUSTON_ TEY_S--The NASA M_nned Spacecraft Center today requested
proposals from the aerospace industry for a feasibility and planning
study of a lunar orbit station for use during the 1980's.
The station is one element of the agency's Integrated Manned Space
Flight Plan. The plan envisions reusable shuttles_ Earth orbiting stations_
reusable Earth orbit to lunar orbit nuclear shuttles_ the lunar orbit
station and a space tug which also can operate on the Moon's surface.
Major objectives of the study are to define station config_Lration_
refine functions performed by the orbiting station_ detail the kind and
nature or scientific investigations which may be conducted and develop
rescue
capabilities.
The proposal calls for the initial station to operate in zero
gravity; however_ it is to be designed such that it can be modified to
an artificial gravity station at some later date. The station may be
33 feet in diameter, made up of several decks and weigh between 60 and
90 tons.
Also called for in this study is an investigation of possible
application of the Earth orbital space station for lunar orbit operations.
The proposal calls for a fi×ed-nrice contract. MSC has allotted
$250,000 for use in this study. Proposals are to be submitted to MSC
by April 24. The study is to be completed approximately nine months
after contract award. It will se conducted under the direction of the
Advanced Missions Program Office.
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