Orbiting Laboratory

Medium-sized orbiting lab is this Manned Orbital Research Laboratory (MORL) developed for NASA’s Langley Lab by Douglas Missiles & Spacecraft Division. The lab which weighs about 35,000 pounds, could maintain 3 to 6 men in orbit for a year.

Orbiting Stations: Stopovers to Space Travel
Irwin Stambler
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1965

Image credit: Douglas
Image source: SDASM Archives

Extended Apollo

An “extended” Apollo would be able to travel for several months in space. Garrett concepts of environmental system, cryogenic storage, life-support and attitude control can be adapted to this vehicle.

Space World
December 1964, VOL. A-14

Image credit: Marquardt Corporation
Image source: Numbers Station

Apollo X

The Marquardt Corporation is conducting studies under contract to North American’s Space and Information Systems Division on advanced rocket reaction control systems for Apollo X. The Extended Apollo Mission is depicted above in conjunction with a space laboratory system, one of several concepts to determine additional applications of the Apollo spacecraft by NASA. Marquardt’s four-engine reaction control system cluster is illustrated above on the surface of the Apollo X service module. Similar systems are being developed by Marquardt for the current Project Apollo lunar mission on both the service and lunar excursion module.

Space World
April 1965, VOL. B-4.18

Image credit: Marquardt Corporation
Image source: Numbers Station

Artist Unknown

The MOL – Manned Orbiting Laboratory – is shown, in this artist’s view, being lifted into space by the Titan III C. On top of the cylindrical canister, the crew sit in a modified Gemini capsule.

Orbiting Stations: Stopovers to Space Travel
Irwin Stambler
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1965

Image credit: USAF
Image source: Numbers Station

Manned Orbiting Space Vehicle

Orbiting Stations: Stopovers to Space Travel
Irwin Stambler
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1965

Image credit: McDonnell
Image source: Numbers Station

Cover Art

Orbiting Stations: Stopovers to Space Travel
Irwin Stambler
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1965

Image credit: Martin Marietta
Image source: Numbers Station

Leynnwood Gallery

Image credit: Northrop
Images: Numbers Station

Assembling Spaceball

Huge space ferries are used by astronauts to perform the final assembly of the huge Spaceball orbiting station.

Orbiting Stations: Stopovers to Space Travel
Irwin Stambler
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1965

Image credit: Douglas
Image source: Numbers Station

Rendezvous with The MOL

Carefully watching the displays on their instrument panel, two astronauts in their Gemini ferry prepare to rendezvous with the MOL.

Orbiting Stations: Stopovers to Space Travel
Irwin Stambler
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1965

Image credit: USAF
Image source: Numbers Station

Origin of The SST

  1. Lockheed’s L-2000 SST design, loser in the competition with Boeing for US/SST contract, was result of decade of tunnel testing, incorporating best features of fixed wing double-delta concept proved out in SR-71. Lockheed’s philosophy was simplicity in design for better safety and economy.
  2. How to build an SST! Brilliant Lockheed designer Clarence L. (Kelly) Johnson, who created such successful planes as the U-2, SR-71, F-104 and the Constellation, amused fellow aircrafters with satirical drawing portraying design problems encountered with the SST.

The SST: Here it comes, ready or not
by Don Dwiggins
Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1968

Image credit: Lockheed
Image source: Numbers Station