On-Station by wblack

Bryce • Science Fiction • posted on Feb 23, 2013

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Description

On-Station An Orion’s Arm future history image. Sinclair Nuclear HLLV-SSTO on station in LEO. Image details payload extraction. The payload grappling system arms mounted aft on the command module and fore on the nuclear stage, in conjunction with the core-structure of the payload carrier framework, form the actual structure of the cargo-bay. After extraction the payload aero shell will be discarded to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere and the Command Module will dock with the nuclear stage for re-entry. Related Image: Ascent Future History Timeline Context Link: Orion’s Arm Future History Timeline. Background image courtesy of NASA/JPL. All models are my own Bryce creations, constructed in Bryce 6.3 and rendered in Bryce 7 Pro. As always thank you for your interest, thoughtful comments, and encouragement.

Comments (9)

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attileus

9:20AM | Sat, 23 February 2013

Excellent use of Bryce and great space render with well placed light(s)!

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wblack

9:40AM | Sat, 23 February 2013

Thanks attileus, It’s nice when people notice the effort put into the little details (in this case the internally illuminated bay (for housing the payload grappling arms when retracted)). Bryce sun-object edited to match the NASA/JPL backdrop in Bryce Atmosphere Lab.

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peedy

9:50AM | Sat, 23 February 2013

Excellent image and modeling. Corrie

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geirla

10:40AM | Sat, 23 February 2013

Great details! Why not make it entirely reusable, though? You'd have a shorter turn-around time.

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OkrimSlava

11:19AM | Sat, 23 February 2013

excellent space-shoot.

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wblack

11:48AM | Sat, 23 February 2013

Hey geirla, Perhaps I should modify the text to make my intended context clear, I hope this note helps. All major components are reusable. As I am sure you know in the context of large scale intermodal commercial freight transport the term “reusable” has a specific meaning and efficiency takes on a particular form. If you are thinking in terms scaled to contemporary spaceflight systems such as the (now sadly retired Space Shuttle) you are off the mark. Commercial operations (even contemporary commercial operations) work on a different scale entirely. In the context of large scale intermodal commercial freight transport modularized freight containers do not remain with a particular aircraft or ocean vessel. Modular freight containers are not (generally) single-use – they are used many times – transferred to truck or rail, unloaded, reloaded with different freight heading on to different destinations, transferred on to other vehicles, and used over and over again. Which is exactly the kind of system I am depicting here. The Cargo Carrier-Frame (visible between the Command Module and the Nuclear Stage can be seen to hold numerous modularized freight containers – some of these may be destined for the Lunar Orbital Station, some for the Martian Lunar freight handling facilities, some for Sinclair’s Lunar Colony – some may go on to Mars and be de-orbited on the Martian Nuclear SSTO, where the containers may eventually be filled with consumables and loaded on a Callisto bound Crew Vehicle on a 3 year ice mining mission, eventually even these may return to the Earth Moon leg of the system. The Nuclear Stage is reusable – this returns to a soft landing on Earth and is refurbished and is flown many times over an (estimated) 30 to 50 year life-span. The Command Module is reusable – this returns to a soft landing on Earth and is refurbished and flown many times – again over an (estimated) 30 to 50 year life-span – its passenger cabin carrying personnel between the Lunar staging centers, and Sinclair’s budding Lunar Colony, and freight launch operations centers on Earth. The Cargo Carrier- Frame (which is the only actual structural component of the payload bay) is reusable – this has a lifespan of use which very likely far exceeds the 30 to 50 year lifespan of the launch system depicted in this image. Containerized Freight Modules (seen here loaded on the Cargo Carrier-Frame) are reusable – like the Cargo Carrier Frame these have a lifespan of use which very likely far exceeds the 30 to 50 year lifespan of the launch system depicted in this image.

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