Large space structure experiments for Apollo Applications Program (AAP)

[Triton]

In 1966 NASA asked the Convair Division of General Dynamic to research the use of Apollo systems to test out large scale space construction projects. This research generated a report that consists of five volumes.

Large space structure experiments for AAP. Volume 1 - Summary Final report, 15 Sep. 1966 - 15 Sep. 1967
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680020064_1968020064.pdf

This volume summarizes the results of the entire study.

 

[Triton]

Large space structure experiments for AAP. Volume 2 - Analysis and evaluation of space structure concepts Final report, 15 Sep. 1966 - 15 Sep. 1967
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680020065_1968020065.pdf

This volume presents the results of the analysis of the 40 space structure concepts analyzed during the first half of the study.

 

[Triton]

Large space structure experiments for AAP. Volume 3 - Crossed-H interferometer for long wave radio astronomy Final report, 15 Sep. 1966 - 15 Sep. 1967
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680020066_1968020066.pdf

This volume contains the details of the crossed H interferometer that was one of the three concepts selected at mid-term for detailed analysis.

 

[Triton]

Large space structure experiments for AAP. Volume 4 - Focusing X-ray telescope a large space structure for X-ray astronomy Final report, 15 Sep. 1966 - 15 Sep. 1967
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680020067_1968020067.pdf

This volume contains the details of the focusing X-ray telescope a large space structure for X-ray astronomy one of the three concepts selected at mid-term for detailed analysis.

 

[Triton]

Large space structure experiments for AAP. Volume 5 - Parabolic antenna Final report, 15 Sep. 1966 - 15 Sep. 1967
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680020068_1968020068.pdf

This volume contains the details of the parabolic antenna one of the three concepts selected at mid-term for detailed analysis.

 

[Triton]

Additional concepts from Large space structure experiments for AAP. Volume 2 - Analysis and evaluation of space structure concepts Final report, 15 Sep. 1966 - 15 Sep. 1967

 

[magnus_z]

"Large communication antenna of the future" on a stamp:

 

[ender]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/8126213154/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/8126331452/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/8126332816/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/8126183243/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/8126187195/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/8126183351/

from the San Diego Air and Space Museum

 

[Graham1973]

Related proposal to fit a 15ft (3m) parabolic antenna to an Orbital Workshop

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19700016452_1970016452.pdf

 

[Archibald]

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7569.0;attach=175960

Looks as if an Apollo married a solar sail. Very sci-fi !

 

[OM]

...Anyone got a source or even a suggestion on where to look for information insofar as how those geodesic "fullerene" structures would have been compressed and deployed? I'm actually having a bit of a headache trying to wrap around what sort of origami would have been required to compress what's inherently a highly stable structure into a payload that can fit in between the top of an S-IVB and the SLA panels.

 

[Archibald]

Future Expansion - ProjectApollo

web.archive.org

 

[publiusr]

I really lament how these were never tried. I hope SuperHeavy and company can change that.