Image credit: NASA
Image source: National Archives
NASA 70-HC-253
Tag: Integrated Program Plan
NASA 69-HC-1099
Image credit: NASA
Image source: National Archives
Orbital H₂ Depot
1971 Concept
In this artist’s concept from 1971, an Earth-to orbit fuel tanker approaches the Orbital Propellant Depot. As envisioned by Marshall Space Flight Center Program Devlopment plarners, an orbital modular propellant storage depot, supplied periodically by the Space Shuttle or Earth-to-orbit fuel tankers would be critical in making available large amounts of fuel to various orbital vehicles and spacecraft.
Image credit: NASA
Image source: NASA Marshall
Lunar Orbit Operations
MSFC-72-PD-4000-30C
Earth Orbit Cargo Transfer
Space Tug Elements
Earth Orbit Applications
Lunar Applications
Managed by Marshall Space Flight Center, the Space Tug concept was intended to be a reusable multipurpose space vehicle designed to transport payloads to different orbital inclinations. Utilizing mission-specific combinations of its three primary modules (crew, propulsion, and cargo) and a variety of supplementary kits, the Space Tug was capable of numerous space applications. This 1970 artist’s concept illustrates a Space Tug with an attached landing configuration kit as it prepares for a lunar application. The Space Tug program was cancelled and did not become a reality.
Image credit: NASA
Image source: NASA MSFC
