Habitability support systems - A new reality

Abstract

It is becoming evident that there is an emerging role for manned space platforms in the 1980's and 1990's. Space platforms will place heavy emphasis on habitability support systems. Initial space platforms which may become reality in the 1985-1990 time period will build on prior space flight experience from Skylab, Spacelab, early space habitats or modules leading to the advent of multimodule space platforms which will herald continued occupancy in space. Emphasis is placed on habitability needs for space platforms which may be constructed in the mid 1980's to early 1990's. Crew size from under 10 to near 100 will be the main concentration. Energy supply will rapidly transfer from the Shuttle fuel cells to dependency on larger and larger solar cell arrays.