InterPlanetary Ventures

November 8, 2008

Getting People Into Space, Permanently.
Phase One: Space Station as Way Station

Our mission is getting people into space, as soon as possible, as many as possible, Many things have to happen for access to space to become routine, but while that infrastructure is being built we must move ahead. First we need an orbiting space station that will be a staging point for orbital development of expeditions to the moon, near earth destinations and asteroids. This station can start with the existing International Space Station, or start from scratch. Each new arrival is used to add to the station, increase it’s capabilities and capacities, until a point is reached where the station can start supporting the development of a lunar mission.

Starting from scratch may be the best way to go, starting with the inflatable modules being developed by Bigelow Aerospace. The station will need a space dock that can be pressurized, a sphere with a large space door to admit arriving hardware and personnel carriers, pull them in and secure them, then close the doors and pressurize the docking area. Much simpler technology and operation than the docking procedure used today by ISS.

Transportation for personnel to this new space station is needed. There are plenty of launch vehicles capable of reaching low earth orbit, we need personnel carriers to add human cargo to those rockets. Using a space dock for getting into the station, and not having to worry about returning anything to earth removes most of the complexity. We only need a pressurized personnel carrier with life support to last for the trip to the station, plus a couple of days for possible delays. It should be designed so that it can be easily used to expand the space station, or later used as part of another space station or spacecraft for lunar or asteroid missions.

In the beginning, all personnel headed for this station should be committed to a permanent stay, either in space at some space station or habitat, or on the moon. This is a migration, these people will be pioneers and explorers. Tourists and temporary workers can come later, after more of the infrastructure is completed and reliable vehicles for returning to earth can be deployed to the space stations.