proposal is to remove the wings and other reentry and landing systems, stretch the cargo bay, mount it permanently on an ET and launch it directly into orbit. The station could be visited for startup or it could be launched manned with another orbiter ready for a quick servicing or resupply. The advantages are shuttle compatible hardware throughout, standard shuttle in orbit, the addition of the ET and ACC as part of the station, and a base for an RMS arm to operate. Once again, this is an ET based system that utilizes already purchased equipment for uses other than what was originally envisioned. This would be somewhat more expensive than launching and flying the basic ET/ACC station, but the potential for orbiter based operations should be extremely attractive to a buyer.
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