space station points ( TGD)

Ed M. wrote:
> I'm thinking stepping-stones here, rather than
>putting all our efforts into a single mission.

Absolutely. When I cautioned about shielding for anything above LEO, I
was only saying that after a certain point, the demand for ETs might
drop, as stations would have to be too specialized. Even then, (if
somebody has broken the ice in getting the tanks for use, and
bypassing NASA to do it) they still could be useful in LEO as station
volume, and elsewhere as water tankage.

Also, as for putting all our efforts into a single mission, a measely
little spacehab (1 or 2 ET station, no rotation) would more than
triple our capabilities in space (counting ISS as if it were
finished!)

> The idea is to build one space island station in low
>earth orbit (actually two structures, the 7-tank
>microgravity structure and the 16 tank wheel station),
>and use it to bring in the early profits from tourism,
>large-scale manufacturing, and research.

Agreed. Let's remember our timescales though:
Immediately, and for the near term future, these tanks are vital.
After a HEEO or other high station has been built, they dwindle.

If we could get a single ET volume in LEO, we could use it to
bootstrap things into a larger HEEO station (your bigger ring or
clustered dumbell) Presently, any EVA assembly of an ET station would
need a Shuttle mission, or a station, which means you've got to
convince NASA to let us do it at the ISS. Good luck.
Could Russian equipment be used for on-orbit assembly, without Mir?