Nuclear SSTO Orbital Operations This is an on-going series --previous posts are linked below. The Nuclear SSTO is designed to function in support of the Mars Terraforming Program: here final vehicle configuration and fuel loading of a Callisto Cargo Lander and Return-Payload Transport is shown. The Cargo Frame Transporter will be detailed fully in posts to follow, context for this set of images: Each Mars Terraforming Callisto Mission consists of 3 separate Orion power-packs (Mission Transporter Craft. These are of two types: Crew Vehicle & Support Vehicle configurations—these are designed to haul three very different mission vehicles. 1 Crew Vehicle-Callisto Lander -- and its Orion Power Pack. 1 (Un-crewed) Cargo Carrier & Reusable (In-Situ Resource Refueled) Callisto Payload Launcher -- for lofting payloads from the surface of Callisto to Callisto Orbit) and its Orion Power Pack (depicted in the image above). 1 (Un-crewed) Drill Rig Lander and its Orion Power Pack. Each crewed mission returns: 1 Return-Payload Transport with 30K tons of recovered terraforming materials. 1 Crew & Crew Vehicle. The Callisto Cargo Lander (shown above) carries a payload of 10K tons of support materials for the Callisto Ammonia Recovery Operation -- it’s Mission Transporter is launched with a minimum-to-orbit fuel load. Once on orbit a Nuclear SSTO is launched. Engineering crews perform the following operations: 1. Un-dock the Cargo Lander and its support cradle. 2. Extend the transporters central support spine (white central cylindrical section & yellow web-work girders – this is launched in a collapsed/stowed configuration). 3. Mount the return payload bracing structure, payload carrier decks, and remote manipulator-arm system (all visible wrapped around the central core of the Mission Transporter Craft depicted above). 4. Load impulse-charge magazines sufficient for the out bound Jupiter leg of the mission, with an additional number of magazines equal to one-half the fuel load for a payload return flight. 5. Remount the Cargo Lander & support cradle at the fore of the fuel-stack. Mars Colony Terraforming Program Image Links: Mars Colony: The Expanding Frontier Discarding Stages Discarding Stages: A New Perspective Prospecting Callisto Callisto Production Field Flight Control Station Command & Control Deck Crew Quarters Mars Colony Heavy Lift Nuclear SSTO Mars Colony Nuclear SSTO Launch Mars Colony Nuclear SSTO Approach to Touchdown All models are my own, models constructed in Bryce 6.5 and rendered in Bryce 7 Pro. Mars image is a composite of several NASA Mars mission images processed by me in Photoshop. As always thank you for your interest, thoughtful comments, and encouragement.