Space Transportation System
Encyclopedia
The Space Transportation System (STS) is another name for the NASA Space Shuttle
and Space Shuttle program
. However, the name originates from, and can describe a more elaborate set of spacefaring hardware in the 1970s, although this meaning is obscure. For example, there was at one time a Mars exploration program called Voyager
, but this was later obscured by the Voyager program
, which launched two planetary space probes.
in the early 1970s to support extended operations beyond the Apollo program. Its major components consisted of an Earth Orbit Shuttle; a chemically-propelled "space tug" which could be used for low-to-high Earth orbit or Earth-to-lunar orbit transfers, and as a lunar orbit-to-surface shuttle; and a nuclear-powered
interplanetary shuttle vehicle for flights to the planets Venus
and Mars
. The transportation system would support, and in turn be supported by, Earth and lunar orbital space station
s and propellant depot
s.
As Apollo accomplished its objective of landing the first men on the Moon, political support for further manned space activities began to wane, which was reflected in unwillingness of the Congress to provide funding for most of these extended activities. The only program which survived with immediate funding was the Space Shuttle
which inherited the STS name, though this was greatly scaled back from its planned degree of reusabliilty and deferred in time. The International Space Station
was developed some time later, completed in 2010.
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
and Space Shuttle program
Space Shuttle program
NASA's Space Shuttle program, officially called Space Transportation System , was the United States government's manned launch vehicle program from 1981 to 2011...
. However, the name originates from, and can describe a more elaborate set of spacefaring hardware in the 1970s, although this meaning is obscure. For example, there was at one time a Mars exploration program called Voyager
Voyager program (Mars)
The Voyager Mars Program was a planned series of unmanned NASA probes to the planet Mars. The missions were planned, as part of the Apollo Applications Program, between 1966 and 1968 and were scheduled for launch in 1974–75...
, but this was later obscured by the Voyager program
Voyager program
The Voyager program is a U.S program that launched two unmanned space missions, scientific probes Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. They were launched in 1977 to take advantage of a favorable planetary alignment of the late 1970s...
, which launched two planetary space probes.
STS (old)
The other STS was a system of reusable manned space vehicles envisioned by NASANASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
in the early 1970s to support extended operations beyond the Apollo program. Its major components consisted of an Earth Orbit Shuttle; a chemically-propelled "space tug" which could be used for low-to-high Earth orbit or Earth-to-lunar orbit transfers, and as a lunar orbit-to-surface shuttle; and a nuclear-powered
Nuclear thermal rocket
In a nuclear thermal rocket a working fluid, usually liquid hydrogen, is heated to a high temperature in a nuclear reactor, and then expands through a rocket nozzle to create thrust. In this kind of thermal rocket, the nuclear reactor's energy replaces the chemical energy of the propellant's...
interplanetary shuttle vehicle for flights to the planets Venus
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows...
and Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
. The transportation system would support, and in turn be supported by, Earth and lunar orbital space station
Space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
s and propellant depot
Propellant depot
An orbital propellant depot is a cache of propellant that is placed on an orbit about the Earth or another body to allow spacecraft to be fuelled in space. Launching a spacecraft separately from some of its propellant enables missions with more massive payloads...
s.
As Apollo accomplished its objective of landing the first men on the Moon, political support for further manned space activities began to wane, which was reflected in unwillingness of the Congress to provide funding for most of these extended activities. The only program which survived with immediate funding was the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
which inherited the STS name, though this was greatly scaled back from its planned degree of reusabliilty and deferred in time. The International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
was developed some time later, completed in 2010.
Interplanetary shuttle
The U.S. nuclear rocket program was largely shut down in 1973.Further reading
- Hepplewhite, T.A. The Space Shuttle Decision: NASA's Search for a Reusable Space Vehicle. Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1999.
- NASA Report, Technical Study for the Use of the Saturn 5, INT-21 and Other Saturn 5 Derivatives to Determine an Optimum Fourth Stage (space tug). Volume 1: Technical Volume, Book 1, Web Address when accessed: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19810065609_1981065609.pdf