SPACE ART: Early Space Station Freedom Concept
(Above) This painting depicts a 1984 Space Station concept developed by Johnson Space Center.
(Above) This painting depicts a 1984 Space Station concept developed by Johnson Space Center.
Covering the International Space Station’s (ISS) inception through the launching of the first two components nearly two decades later, this insider’s account details its demise from a once-promising global initiative to a project rife with controversy, dogged by delays, and filled with budget battles.
Beattie explains how the program struggled to survive in an environment with political and bureaucratic authorities that continually changed its goals, this study analyzes NASA’s past transgressions while eyeing the administration’s future. Annual summaries detailing the station’s most recent developments are also included in this unique, firsthand report.
About the Author:
Donald A. Beattie, a former senior manager at the National Science Foundation, Energy Research and Development Administration, Department of Energy and NASA, served on the Space Station Advisory Committee from 1987 to 1994.
(Above) This is an artist’s illisturation of the revised April 1987 baseline configuration for Space Station Freedom.
(Above) This artist’s concept depicts a smaller 1991 configuration of Space Station Freedom, as it would have looked orbiting the Earth.
This smaller configuration of the Space Station featured a horizontal truss structure that supported U.S., European, and Japanese Laboratory Modules; the U.S. Habitation Module; and three sets of solar arrays.
Galaxy Wire would like to wish all of our readers a wonderful and safe 4th of July! Enjoy the fireworks, BBQ and this collection of Space Station Freedom Photos. After all, it’s not Independence Day without Freedom.
(Above) McDonnell-Douglas proposed 1985 design for NASA’s Space Station Freedom.
(Above) This artist concept depicts Space Shuttle Columbia docking with Ronald Reagan’s Space Station Freedom. In this painting Columbia is equipped with the Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) pallet which in this configuration would have allowed the shuttle to remain on orbit for 28 days. Space Station Freedom eventually became the International Space Station.
Image Credit: NASA - Rockwell International
(Above) This artist’s concept depicts Space Station Freedom as it would have looked orbiting the Earth. It was Illustrated by Marshall Space Flight Center artist, Tom Buzbee.
This smaller 1991 configuration of the space Station featured a horizontal truss structure that supported U.S., European, and Japanese Laboratory Modules; the U.S. Habitation Module; and three sets of solar arrays. Space Station Freedom was an international, permanently manned, orbiting base proposed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984.
(Above) A June 1989 NASA mock-up of Space Station Freedom complete with American, European, and Japanese modules. This full size mock-up was made at the Johnson Space Center.
These artist’s concept drawings depict Space Station Freedom (1986 Dual Keel Design) as it would have looked orbiting the Earth.
