Orbital Hospital

Image credit: North American Aviation
Image source: Numbers Station

MOL by Neil Jacobe

Into The Unknown
by Don Dwiggins
Golden Gate Books, 1971

Image credit: McDonnell
Image source: Numbers Station

RIFT

Image credit: Lockheed
Image source: Mike Acs

Lockheed Space Station

Image credit: Lockheed
Image source: Mike Acs

STS Mission Profile

Image credit: NASA
Image source: Mike Acs

Space-Age Station

A spaceport and supply rocket designed by the Martin Marietta Corporation in mid-air in this scene from the Hall of Science space show. In such a port, astronauts may orbit for half a year.

New York World’s Fair 1964/1965
Official Souvenir Book
Time Life, 1964

Image credit: Martin Marietta
Image source: Numbers Station

Preliminary Conception

Missiles and Rockets, Feb 10, 1964

Image credit: USAF
Image source: Internet Archive

MOL(e)Men Unleashed!

A manned orbital space space laboratory would be able to operate for several months without resupply. Basic Garrett-AiResearch systems could be slightly modified to meet requirements for environmental control, life support, cryogenic storage, power and attitude control for both the command module and laboratory.

Space World
December 1964, VOL. A-14

Image credit: Garrett-AiResearch
Image source: Numbers Station

M.A.R.S.

GENERAL DYNAMICS / ASTRONAUTICS artist’s conception of a three-man Manned Astronautical Research Station (MARS) in operation 200 miles above earth. The station in orbit would be linked to a spent Centaur vehicle. The two bodies would rotate about each other, the resulting centrifugal force providing the necessary artificial gravity.

Missiles and Rockets, Feb 10, 1964

Image credit: General Dynamics
Image source: Internet Archive

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