SPACE STATION, LAUNCH VEHICLE, AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY

摘要

A launch vehicle for a space station includes a crew transport vehicle having an orbiter, a cylindrical cargo module separable from the orbiter when in low earth orbit, and a first liquid fuel rocket engine section coupled to the cargo module operable to assist in placement of the launch vehicle in low earth orbit. The first engine section is separable from the cargo module in low earth orbit. The launch vehicle also includes booster rockets operable to place the launch vehicle in low earth orbit, and a liquid fuel tank, which is convertible to form living and working spaces for the space station. The space station includes rentable space that is used to recover launch and assembly costs associated with the space station.