MSFC Space Tug – Page 2

Space Tug Maintenance Concept

The overall view shows a Cislunar Shuttle being approached by an unmanned maintenance Tug. The Tug has three replacement modules attached to a turntable assembly. The first view shows an expanded section of the Cislunar Shuttle with the Tug approaching. The Tug will be docked with the Cislunar Shuttle using a standard docking mechanism. The second small view shows the Tug harddocked to the Cislunar Shuttle. A module is being removed from the Shuttle. The third small view shows the turntable rotated and a module being installed in the Cislunar Shuttle. After the operation is completed the two vehicles are demated and the Tug backed off as depicted in the lower illustration.

Image credit: NASA
File source: NASA NTRS

MT70-6335 6-25-70

Shown here is an artist’s concept of a manned Space Tug servicing a communications satellite. Servicing of satellites will be economical and desirable in many cases in the future. However, the satellites will have to be designed to permit servicing. Existing satellite systems which are designed without consideration of inspace maintenance probably could not be effectively serviced even by a highly sophisticated maintenance kit used in conjunction with a manned Tug.

Image credit: NASA
File source: NASA NTRS

Operations in 1978

NOV 1 1972

THIS SPACE SHUTTLE IS SCHEDULED TO START OPERATIONS IN 1978

Vehicle will make round trips ferrying men into orbit and the returning them to earth.

Image credit: North American Rockwell
Image source: Numbers Station

NAR Space Division

I’m pretty certain these two images are by the same hand, but which one? They’re both heavily referenced and painted in what I would describe as North American Rockwell’s house style, but the palette and brushwork bring me back to a beautiful painting Don Bester did of the Saturn Shuttle. I could be wrong, but that’s the box I’m checking for now.

Image credit: North American Rockwell
Image source: Mike Acs