Tech & Auto
This Wild NASA Space Shuttle Could Carry 86 Astronauts At Once
By DANIEL FEININGER
The future of exploration to the Moon and beyond starts with thinking about how NASA will move all of the people and gear that will brave that great beyond.
To operate larger stations, NASA and partner agencies need to develop a reliable means of bringing large crews up into orbit on a regular basis.
A design called the "Personnel Launch System" that could hold 86 passengers was described as a large space shuttle intended for high capacity people movement.
Very different from moving freight to space, life support systems, personal safety devices, and even bathrooms and food will need to be included in any ship designed for passengers.
Creating multiple rocket types to lift personnel and goods into space is likely the best approach, and it may call for a revised design of this schematic might be a great starting point for future construction.