In the early/mid 1950's, work was performed at Goodyear Aircraft on the METEOR concept ("Manned Earth-Satellite Terminal Evolving From Earth-To-Orbit Ferry Rockets"). This was somewhat similar to the "Colliers" space program as envisioned by von Braun and others... just not so small and limited. The space station envisioned was something more like Babylon 5 than vonBrauns' "Wheel." The space station envisioned was something more like Babylon 5 than vonBrauns' "Wheel." 2,500 feet long (that's right, prit near half a mile) and 1,500 feet in diameter, the METEOR space station would be assembled in orbit by stripping the third stage of a reusable launch vehicle for parts over a period of 40 months or so.
METEOR was so much better than current plans that it's not *even* funny... :'(
METEOR was so much better than current plans that it's not *even* funny... :'(