fut/PARSECS_v_bw_o_n (1959 Boeing Airplane Co. photo, 7A 879)

“The Boeing Airplane Co. today announced another step toward space transportation.
Boeing unveiled a model of a space vehicle capable of carrying men on reconnaissance trips around the earth or to other planets. The vehicle also would be a space-borne service station to other interplanetary ships.
The model was shown at the annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army in Washington, D. C.
“This capsule was designed to be simpler and cheaper in its construction than any other orbital station now being considered,” said Dr. Walter Hiltner, Boeing’s lunar-systems manager.

Ship Built in Space

Here is Boeing’s description of the project:
The space ship would be built at a station orbiting the earth. Dimensions of the vehicle are 20 by 74 feet.
Technicians assembling the ship would have no need for space suits. They would be working under a large plastic bubble having controlled pressure and atmosphere.”

From top-to-bottom, many neat things going on here. My take:
- Two astronauts in the airlock preparing to conduct an EVA, with another crewmate at a control console, possibly responsible for the depress/repress & oversight of the impending spacewalk.
- The two gentlemen in the immediate vicinity of a large board that sort of looks like a planetary/solar system? chart, with courses already laid in? If so, outstanding. Engage.
- Below them, at the level of the fellow in the second airlock, possibly ECS equipment, like pressurized oxygen tanks…and other provisions?
- Then…what looks to be two rows of Mercury/Gemini-like possible escape/survival capsules, girdling the inner wall of the vehicle, immediately above & below the central ‘garage’? for the shuttle craft.
- Then possibly another level of provisions, equipment, etc., with a third airlock.
- Next appears to be the living/relaxation level, with what looks to be the sleeping compartment, possible galley? or reading room/library, and of course, TV room.
- Finally, possible fuel tanks. However, since I know jack about ion or nuclear propulsion, is that guess credible? Idk.

Even a good looking shuttle (earth ferry?) craft, tethered to a telescoping or otherwise articulating “dock/pier”, which looks to be able to draw the shuttle vehicle into the central bay, hence the two interior airlocks leading into it.

Tangential & excessive, but who cares. Yet another unsung aerospace hero, and associate of the aforementioned Dr. Hiltner:

news.rice.edu/2016/03/24/rice-mourns-aerospace-pioneer-an...
Credit: Rice University Office of Public Affairs website

The vehicle was part of Boeing Aircraft Company’s Program for Astronomical Research and Scientific Experiments Concerning Space (PARSECS).
An EXCELLENT & HIGHLY INFORMATIVE PARSECS discussion - as with many other topics - by a bunch of really knowledgeable folks:

www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/parsecs-1960.7039/
Credit: “SECRET PROJECTS: UNBUILT PROJECTS, MILITARY AND AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY” website

Another superb & detailed work by Robert Fetterly, along with many others. I salute you Sir, thank you for your service.
Rest In Peace:

www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/back-to-the-future-artist...
Credit: Peninsula Daily News website

Taken on: December 10, 2020

Tags:

Boeing Airplane Company

space shuttle

Philip Bono

PARSECS

Program for Astronomical Research and Scientific Experiments Concerning Space

space travel

spaceplane

living and working in space

Human Space Flight

Manned Space Flight

Manned Spacecraft

interplanetary exploration

interplanetary spacecraft

space flight

Boeing

Boeing Aerospace Corporation

Boeing Aircraft Company

Fetterly

Bob Fetterly

Robert Fetterly

artist’s concept

artist concept

artist’s rendering

artist rendering

glossy photo

black and white « less

Sets appears in: • Breaking The Bonds & Firsts • Satellites: Views By/Views Of more » • Miscellaneous Photos & Prints « less

Groups appears in: • Space Exploration • Space Shuttle more » • OUT OF THIS WORLD • Solar system and planets • Space The Final Frontier • Cutaways-It's What's Inside That Counts! • BLAST OFF! to Yesterday's Future • Mid-century Space Illustration • Space stuff « less

Stats: 5,885 views / 1 comment