Image credit: Boeing
Image source: National Archives
255-GRC-1983-C-02122
Tag: artist concept
255-GRC-1983-C-02126
Image credit: General Dynamics
Image source: National Archives
255-GRC-1983-C-02121
Image credit: Boeing
Image source: National Archives
255-GRC-1983-C-02125
B-0992
A hypersonic shockwave system envelopes an Aeroassisted Orbital Transfer Vehicle (AOTV) as it grazes the atmosphere before returning to the Space Shuttle in low Earth orbit. In this drawing, the main engine and the balloon-like parachute, or ballute, which encases the AOTV, provide protection from the reentry heat and drag to slow the vehicle as it enters a lower orbit. After reaching low Earth orbit, the ballute would be deflated and the AOTV would rendezvous with the Shuttle for reuse. This aerobraking technique is one of several being studied by Boeing Aerospace Company under contract to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
BOEING AEROSPACE COMPANY
Image credit: Boeing
Image source: National Archives
255-GRC-1983-C-03832
An Aeroassisted Orbital Transfer Vehicle is shown using the Earth’s atmosphere to slow itself down and lift itself into another orbit before returning to the Space Shuttle for reuse. Inflatable wings are located on each side of the core propulsion module and covered by a high temperature heat shield material. The spacecraft payload bay is located in the forward section of the nose cone. Boeing is studying how the atmosphere can be used as a brake for this proposed Air Force spacecraft under contract to the Air Force’s Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
BOEING AEROSPACE COMPANY
Image credit: Boeing
Image source: National Archives
L90-4776
Image credit: General Dynamics
Image source: DVIDS
Lester Pettus
Image credit: NASA GRC
Image source: National Archives
Boeing X-20
Image credit: Boeing
Image source: Numbers Station
LANTR LTVs
Space-based LANTR LTVs using a Common NTPS and Customized In-Line LO2 Tank
Image credit: NASA
Image source: NASA NTRS
“2001: A Space Odyssey” Revisited
Relative Size/Mass of Chemical and NTR Vehicles Without and With LOX Augmentation
Image credit: NASA
Image source: NASA NTRS
“Commuter” Passenger Module
Passenger Module Transferring From
LANTR Stage to LLV in LLO.
Module to Lunar Base.
Image credit: NASA
Image source: NASA NTRS
LUNOX Lander
S93-45589 (1993) — (Artist’s concept of possible exploration programs.) A crew of four descends to the lunar surface in a spacecraft designed to utilize oxygen produced on the Moon for propellant. Because of the high performance advantages of in situ propellants, the spacecraft does not need to rendezvous with a second spacecraft in lunar orbit. This image was produced for NASA by John Frassanito and Associates. Technical concepts from NASA’s Planetary Projects Office (PPO), Johnson Space Center (JSC).
S93-45592 (1993) — (Artist’s concept of possible exploration programs.) The lunar crew refills the propellant tanks on their spacecraft with oxygen produced on the Moon. This allows them to return directly to Earth, reentering the atmosphere in the conical crew module, and touching down at a prepared landing site. This image was produced for NASA by John Frassanito and Associates. Technical concepts from NASA’s Planetary Projects Office (PPO), Johnson Space Center (JSC).
Image credit: John Frassanito and Associates
Image source: NASA Johnson
