Container cabin for orbital vehicle

Abstract

A method for developing and utilizing a Space Cruiser vehicle efficiently combines resources from relevant end users in industry and the military. The preferred vehicle has an elongated conical shell with an elliptical transverse cross section. The cabin of the vehicle preferably has a circular transverse cross section, leaving space between the cabin and the shell to store vehicle fuel. The cabin is insulated and capable of supporting occupants in a shirt-sleeve, air-breathing environment whether in the Earth's atmosphere or in outerspace. The vehicle is capable of being launched from conventional aircraft, and also being stored in and launched from a spaced shuttle or orbiting space station.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container cabin for use by one or more human occupants in outer space comprising: 
 a modular enclosure having no means of self-propulsion and adapted to alternatively be stowed in a space station or carried secured in and transported by a space vehicle, said enclosure being adapted to receive at least one human occupant; and    means for establishing an isolated air and temperature conditioned environment in said enclosure to permit said occupant to reside and breathe therein without the assistance of a spacesuit, oxygen mask and the like.    
     
     
         2 . The container cabin of  claim 1  wherein said enclosure is compressible for purposes of storage when unoccupied.  
     
     
         3 . The container cabin of  claim 2  wherein said enclosure, when compressed, is inflatable by means of air pressure to an uncompressed state.  
     
     
         4 . The container cabin of  claim 1  wherein said enclosure is elongated to a size slightly larger than said human to receive said human occupant in a supine position.  
     
     
         5 . A method of transporting at least one human form one location to another through outer space, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) receiving said human as an occupant in a modular enclosure;    (b) establishing an isolated air and temperature conditioned environment in said enclosure to permit said occupant to reside and breathe therein without the assistance of a spacesuit, oxygen mask and the like;    (c) securing said modular enclosure to a space cruiser at said one location;    (d) propelling said vehicle from said one location to said other location through outer space; and    (e) removing said modular enclosure from said vehicle at said other location.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein step (c) comprises the step of securing said modular enclosure to a suitable mounted rack secured to said vehicle.