assembly of SPS support components or systems (such as COTV) can be anticipated at the LEO base. Transfers of people will also use such a base to simplify logistics. The LEO base can be broken down to the following subsystem elements: (1) liv- ing/working quarters, (2) materials stockpile, (3) propellant depot, and (4) power systems. The LEO base is in a circular orbit at an altitude of 477 km. Living/Working Quarters. Living quarters are postulated to be adequate to sustain crew morale for a three month tour of duty. During the startup phase, the maximum crew required for the silicon option is estimated at 225 people* for a period of two years during which the LEO base itself and 23 COTVs are built, and components and supplies for construction of the GEO base at geosynchronous orbit must be transshipped. For the gallium option, the GEO base is assembled at LEO and provides living quarters for the additional crew needed to build both the GEO base and COTVs. During power satellite construction, the LEO base provides crew quarters for 75 people for the silicon option or 35 people for the gallium option. Short-term quarters are also provided for 160 people transferring from the Personnel Launch Vehicles (75 passengers each) to the Personel Orbital Transfer Vehciles (160 passengers each) and vice versa for crew rotation at the GEO base. The additional crew-space provided in the silicon option during the startup phase would be more than ample for this purpose. In the LEO base for the gallium option, transferring passengers would presumably have to use common space of the base (such as mess halls), or transfer directly between the PLVs and POTVs. The living and working quarters consist of one or more pressure shells; an environmental control and life support system (EC/LSS); internal compartments and furnishings including plumbing, wiring, and air ducts; an access system (airlocks and docking ports); information systems (sensors, computers, controllers, communications) ; an attitude control system (ACS); and a thermal control system. The power system will be treated separately below. Materials Stockpile. This facility is envisioned largely as an open framework structure with a large variety of "bins" capable of receiving and dispensing crates, boxes, or other objects. This structure (or some portion of it) must also be capable of assembling the COTVs and portions of the GEO construction base during *A11 numbers given here for crew sizes are only estimates.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==