Orbital Spacecraft Consumables Resupply System

This paper describes the work completed on the Orbital Spacecraft Consumables Resupply System (OSCRS) for the Johnson Space Center. The study objective was to provide a concept to NASA for supplying earth storable liquids and gases to a variety of orbiting vehicles, including Space Station, OMV and other satellites in orbits compatible with Shuttle resupply. The design is based on a cylindrical propellant tank optimized for transporting liquids in the Orbiter bay. The tank is polar mounted with the attachment fittings configured as Orbiter sill trunnions. The pressurant tanks provide support between the sill and keel fittings. Two potential spacecraft interface mechanisms were investigated. Continuing OSCRS effort will be directed toward further standardization studies, adapting the design to the Space Station Servicing Bay and investigating the possibilities of using ELV launchers.