(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Reusable NewSpace: Earth Orbit Station, Part IV [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-07-31 "The Earth is a beautiful planet. The space station is a great vantage point to observe it and share our planet in pictures. It makes you more of an environmentalist." – NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly Kindly Note: This is a Daily Kos Series on a technical paper that I recently completed. To see a list of the other entries in this series, please click the link below. Thanks! TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I | PART II | PART III =<<>>= SPACE STATION CREW Since Space Station Alpha is going to house a rather large number of spaceflight crew, there is a need for a strong command structure to ensure a smooth–running ship, especially during emergencies. Just like an ordinary passenger cruise ship, we will have a paramilitary command structure. Image 1: The AiOS Spaceflight Crew Uniform The astronauts will wear a uniform (just like NASA), complete with rank insignia (Image 1) [Larger Image]. The spaceflight crews will look sharp and become walking billboard signs for the company. We will imitate the US Navy style, complete with sleeve insignia (Image 2) [Larger Image] and shoulder boards (Image 3) [Larger Image]. There will be five different ranks, with only one individual occupying the top rank. Image 2: AiOS Sleeve Ranks SENIOR ADMIRAL ADMIRAL CAPTAIN COMMANDER LIEUTENANT ENSIGN The uniform is simple: the astronaut wears socks and underwear, with Bermuda–style shorts and different colored t–shirts. The Navy Blue flight suit is worn over the t–shirt and shorts. The flight suit will have bellbottoms that can be zippered shut during spaceflight. Flight boots complete the ensemble. During their stay in space, the flight suit and boots are taken off, with the astronaut wearing the t–shirt, shorts, underwear, and socks. Image 3: Shoulder Boards and Collar Insignia The different color t–shirts will signify the different departments (similar to Star Trek and any Navy carrier flight deck). BLUE: Astronautics BLACK: Spaceflight GRAY: Engineering KHAKI: Science YELLOW: Tourism GREEN: Medical PURPLE: Aerospace Image 4 [Larger Image] summarizes the ranks and departments. Only Ensigns and Lieutenants will perform EVAs. The exceptions are the Green Shirt Lieutenant and the Yellow Shirt Commander. Most Captains do orbital–only deployments, while the Admirals are assigned to a desk (except the Blue Shirt Admiral). Purple Shirts pilot the VentureStar space shuttle; that is why they have orbital–only deployments. Image 4: Crew Ranks Only the Blue Shirt can become a Senior Admiral, whose job is to conduct meetings with the Admirals and to represent the astronauts during corporate meetings. :: Now that we have established the command structure, we can look at the crew makeup of Space Station Alpha (Image 5) [Larger Image]. Both day and night shift personnel will keep the station active 24–hours a day. Ensigns and Lieutenants have three distinct duties during their deployment in space: ENSIGN Space Station Duty Outpost Duty Sanitation Duty Image 5: Earth Orbit Station Crew Command Structure LIEUTENANT Space Station Duty Outpost Duty Expeditionary Duty The Ensigns will call the Sanitation Duty "Doodie" because they will be the cleanup crew for the station. This includes toilets. It will be disgusting work, but will only be for one–third of their time in space. Speaking of “Doodie,” Tom Hanks reveals a truth: I’ll do all the work,” the “Apollo 13” star mused. “I’ll clean the toilet. I’ll serve the food. I’ll fold clothes. I’ll stow the gear. That way the others could be free to do other stuff.” We are certain that many future Ensigns will feel the same way as Astronaut Candidate Hanks. :: Image 6: EOS Crew Berthing Modules The berthing spaces are provided by Singlewides. There are 12 sleeping quarters, but not all bunks are occupied. When the Ensigns and Lieutenants rotate out to Outpost or Expeditionary duty, the rooms can be cleaned by the sanitation crew and prepared for the next occupant. Each room has a toilet, a shower, a storage area, a foldable stowaway exercise bicycle, and vertical sleeping bag (Image 6) [Larger Image]. Each berthing unit will also contain a larger storage area and a Galley. Storage is for clothing, food, and other items. The Galley will only heat the food, there is NO food preparation in space. All meals are prepared on Earth and stored in the station. One of the two Half–Singlewides will be occupied by the Commanding Officer and the Executive Officer. The other berthing unit will be occupied by the three orbital–only Captains (Green, Blue, and Khaki Shirts). There are a total of 4 berthing Half–Singlewides available, with 2 occupied and 2 down for cleaning. The two Gray Shirt Captains and the Commanders are berthed in the Executive Quarters, along with the Green Shirt Lieutenants. There are 2 berthing Singlewides available. The rest of the Lieutenants are berthed in the Lieutenant Quarters. There are 2 berthing Singlewides available. The Ensigns are berthed in the Ensign Quarters. There are 2 berthing Singlewides available. =<<>>= EOS COMMAND AND CONTROL Below is a partial list of the departments and responsibilities of Space Station Alpha. Bridge Engineering Spacecraft Remote Control Space Traffic Control Sick Bay Berthing Sanitation Crew Module Refurbishment Spacesuit Refurbishment Supplies Technical Food Medical etc. Science Biology Biomedical Astronomy Oceanography Space Physics Earth Resources etc. Industry Electrophoresis Chrystal Growth etc. Orbital vehicle refurbishment and propellant refill Lunar vehicle refurbishment and propellant refill etc. =<<>>= EOS LIFETIME At an altitude of 900 km, the space station will take several hundred years for the orbit to decay enough to enter Earth's atmosphere. Therefore, the EOS lifetime will be the lifetime of the various modules. We estimate the modules will have an endurance of around 35 years before needing to be replaced. =<<>>= EOS DISPOSAL The space station will never be disposed of, since the orbital decay will take several centuries. 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