Exploitation

The program of deployment of small orbital station (SOS) consisting of a family of spacecrafts and module-spacecrafts represents a consecutive realization of flight scenarios with consecutive building up of functions.

Each consecutive flight scenario can be both a continuation of the previous one and can be realized independently on them (as the standard means used are relatively inexpensive). I.e. the permanence of development of SOS, though it is desirable, however, it does not exclude long-term (e.g., 1 year long) periods of forced closing of the station (in particular, by absence of orders for flights) and even flooding of a part of its elements or as a whole.

The figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 show examples of connections, which scenarios are of real interest for potential customers. The other scenarios determined by concrete tasks are also possible.

Scenario 1 - the regular and revised spacecrafts of class "Soyuz" - TMSC and MNMSC (MNMSC-cargo, MNMSC-MR) are used, pls. see fig fig.8. The term of deployment of small orbital station on this scenario depends on terms of technical readiness of TMSC and MNMSC (i.e. the determining factor by preparation of this plan is the readiness of the production by minimum design and engineering works). Taking into account the revisions of MNMSC, its realization in one year after the beginning of preparation works is possible. The time of operation of MNMSC on the orbit can be extended up to 180 days by some revision of power supply system. In its turn, this will allow to conduct several visiting expeditions "against a background" of one MNMSC and, naturally, to lower.

Scenario 2 - the regular spacecrafts "Progress" and "Soyuz" (TCSC and TMSC) are used, pls. see fig. fig.9. The terms of transition to this scenario are also determined by terms of technical readiness of these spacecrafts. Its peculiarity is a possibility of realization in the current year.

Scenario 3 - three-element scenario requiring a development of the module (e.g., LM, DM, SPM), pls. see fig. fig.11, 13, 14. The terms of transition to this scenario are determined by terms of readiness of one or another module. It should be noted that the largest readiness for today is observed by the module-spacecraft DM (its approximate manufacturing time is 1,5 years). The least readiness is by LM (the readiness of this module is about three years).

Scenario 4 - four- and more element (pls. see fig. fig.15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23), supposes to use several modules on the orbit with functions ensuring a long-term life-support of the crew, "going out" of cosmonauts into open space and also wide possibilities for realization of scientific and commercial projects. The terms of transition to this scenario are determined by terms of readiness of concrete modules and by dynamics of financing.

It should be noted that the appearance of connections of SOS what are also of specific interest for customers is possible by the transition from one scenario to another one. As example, by the transition from two-element to three-element scenarios, in particular, by appearance of a connection of TMSC+DM it is possible to arrange "the going out" of a space tourist into the open space, to put a satellite into orbit "manually", to install additional solar batteries in DM. If a connection TMSC+SPMappears, it is possible to conduct experiments with apparatuses of higher power consumption, etc.

The deployment of the station is not limited to scenarios represented above and allows the use of orbital modules put into orbit on other carrier rockets and their modifications (e.g., on CR "Proton", "Aurora", "Soyuz-FG", "Zenith", Ariane, HOPE, etc.). It is planed to use TMSC, TCSC and MNMSC (MNMSC-cargo, MNMSC-MR) as transport supply means.

All scenarios considered have common features:

• the regular cargo and manned spacecrafts are used (developed and modernized);
• a continuous flight of the station of any distance is ensured for many connections, meanwhile, a flight can be stopped and resumed at any moment;
• 100% clearance of the space from space dust is carried out after fulfillment of its program by each spacecraft;
• succession of scenarios is ensured and, as a consequence, a flexibility of operation.

Conclusion

1. The investigations carried out show the perspectives of work orientation proposed on creation of a family of standard elements - spacecrafts and modules. Their various combinations on the orbit allow to create relatively inexpensive and functionally specialized small orbital stations - SOS. This material can be a basis for further marketing research of corresponding manned services in the space. In total with marketing analysis, the required materials will allow to determine a most optimal plans of realization of SOS (meanwhile, not obligatory with a sole execution of mini-stations), to form a new manned program, possibly, on an independent commercial basis.
2. As base means for SOS must be the most prepared at present the Russian spacecrafts and modules - TMSC of class "Soyuz", TCSC of class "Progress", docking module, instruments and units module of TCSC, TMSC and DM. New orbital means - modernized non-manned spacecraft (MNMSC), service and power module (SPM), docking adapter (DA) and laboratory module (LM, LM-B) must be developed on basis of these spacecrafts (modules).
3. As a main means of putting into orbit for all spacecrafts and modules there should be considered a carrier rocket of class "Soyuz", "Soyuz-FG" notable for high reliability, readiness of production lines and proving grounds, and also relative low prices. It is possible to consider modifications of standard modules and spacecrafts for these means of putting into orbit with an extended range of possibilities at the later stages of development of SOS, after flying work of CR of class "Aurora" and new fairings with diameter more than 3 m. The mutual projects also with CR (fairings) of foreign partners are possible.