1970 – “STEM” Space Manipulator Arm – George Klein, Spar Aerospace (Canadian)

Prime Vehicle "STEM" System The "STEM" system would be similar to the serpentuator, except that the translation/stabilization subsystem would be replaced by a STEM (Storable Tubular Extendible Member, Spar Aerospace Prod). The basic STEM concept is depicted in Figure 5-12. FIGURE 5-12 STEM PRINCIPLE The STEM is a continuous strip of resilient metal which is …

1971 – Space Tug (Concept) – MSFC/Boeing (American)

American space tug. Study 1971. The original Boeing Space Tug design of the early 1970's was sized to be flown either in a single shuttle mission or as a Saturn V payload. Optimum mass was found to be 20.6 metric tons regardless. The Tug could be outfitted with a variety of kits to serve in …

1970 – Space Tug (Concept) – MSFC/Boeing (American)

Re-useable Space Tug Concept Report dated 1970 Manipulator Kit only for manned space tug. The initial operational capability (IOC) date for the unmanned earth-orbit tug was Jan 1980, the manned earth-orbit tug for December 1980 (includes Manipulator Kit), and the manned lunar tug for April 1983. The Space Tug is modular in design. Space Tug …

1962 – Nonanthropomorphic Space Suit (Concept) – Douglas Aircraft Corp (American)

For Douglas Aircraft, in 1962,  their earlier space manipulator designs, i.e., the Project Mercury converted capsule and the "Humpty Dumpty" unit, can be considered as first-generation, feasible, nonanthropomorphic devices. A much more speculative concept, but in every sense within our technological reach, is shown in figure 3 above. This is basically a space tug and …

1965-8 – Space Pod – 2001: A Space Odyssey – Clarke (British) / Kubrick (American)

EVA Pod – The EVA Pod is a fictional spacecraft used for extra-vehicular activity seen in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. The Jupiter spacecraft Discovery One carries three of these small, one-man maintenance vehicles. [EVA – Extra-Vehicular Activity i.e. activity outside of the prime space vehicle.] Film stage. Detail of manipulator arms. Illustrations by …