The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of

John V Rivers

Clarence J Wesselski

Jon B Kahn

Kornel Nagy

Timothy E Pelischek

Gregg A Edeen

Edgar O Castro

Donald C Wade

James B McDede

David A Hamilton

Irene E Verinder

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus relating to design, construction, integration and assembly of a space station. The present invention uses pre-integrated open (unpressurized) truss segments for modular construction of the space station. Each segment includes a truss structure and utility subsystems which may be fully assembled and tested on Earth. The segments may be latched together on orbit using a remote latching system. Utility subsystems, such as solar panels and radiators, are pre-integrated into the appropriate truss segment, and are deployable from the respective truss segment on orbit. Rails run lengthwise along the assembled truss. The rails may be used with a mobile transporter for translating truss segments with respect to the spacecraft as part of the space station assembly process. The rails may also be used with a mobile transporter for carrying crew personnel, a robotic arm, and other equipment.

Pre-integrated truss space station and method of assembly

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Houston, TX, United States of America

John V Rivers