As part of its claim to universality it’s core design also features:

• Artificial Spin Gravity (0-1.5 G gradient)
• Dual Mode operations (G and Zero G)
• Large Structural Margin (due to launch requirements)
• 2 meter thick Water Walls surrounding the crew quarters and perishables
• Deep Redundancy
• The Image shows 6 identical SSTO space ships with cargo attached to their drop tanks/corridors acting as a rotating commercial Staging Base around Mars
• These 6 MARVELS are available for any surface ferry scenario
• 6 Multiple Reuse Heat Shields (slow predictable degradation)
• Deep Space Lifeboat
• Vertical agri farm in the arms (wicked hydroponics)
• >500 KW e-production @ MARS
• Chemical and/or high ISP Electric back up engines using electrolyzed water/gases or recycled metals (Australian Neumann Drive)
• 5000 Day Full Crew Health Standard (Spin Gravity + lowered radiation exposure + regular recovery in water shelter)
  • The International Space Station (ISS) has been permanently occupied since  Expedition 1 on 2 November 2000.
  • This proves the world knows how to make crewed space structures with a long life.
  • We add gravity and water shelters as protective measures.
  • Having time gives you one less thing to worry about.
• Zero G docking options around the central core
• Universal Docking Adapters (visits & deliveries from other platforms)
• Optional addition of 4 inflated corridor segments (completing the rim of the circle formed by four MARVELS acting as spokes)

The DSRB mainly requires the addition of a connector between the bottom ends of the drop tanks. We can connect anywhere from two to six MARVELS. We prefer a dedicated MARVEL to house the central node connector or Hub (configuration not shown). Centralizing this connecting node within the Cargo Hold of this MARVEL provides easy access in a controlled environment, helps in balancing the spinning structure, provides a central docking node for crew and science equipment. Additive manufacturing in space will provide additional ways to strengthen this connection if required at all. The Basic Carbon Fiber Composite construction of the Arms, duly protected to operate long-term in a space environment,  and built to withstand the demanding launch environment as a hanging structure, already provides ample structural margin.

These 3.7 meter diameter drop tanks now form vertical hallways, 40-60 meters long between the hub and Aerospike engines of the Marvel upper stage (white collared section). To optimize their use, inflatable corridors will form a protective liner, consisting of multiple layers, resistant to micro-meteoroids. Power outlets for experiments, equipment for vertical farming, ladders, platforms, locks, shielding, water and other safety features will turn them into very useful parts of orbiting structures.

While not strictly necessary, these structures can be built in LEO, used for a while as destinations for scientists and tourists, refueled and shipped to the MOON, PHOBOS and DEIMOS, the moons of MARS or elsewhere, where they can perform exciting missions as ferry vehicles, habitats or part of a rotating base. MARVEL DSRB’s can also be used as a pit stop to physically prepare astronauts returning from deep space for the descent into Earth’s gravity; when they have passed any considerable length in space on a ship without artificial gravity. Finally, connecting the remaining cargo nodes externally with the same type of inflatable corridors will truly give us the Rotating Wheel stations we remember from Movies such as Stanley’ Kubricks “2001: A Space Odyssey”, and not unlike it’s Space Station V,  albeit on a more modest scale (S.S.V was 550m diam, MARVEL DSRB only 120-160m diam). For Size comparison, this puts the diameter of the MARVEL DSRB in the same category as the London Eye Ferris wheel (120m Ø), and the Las Vegas High Roller Ferris wheel (158.5 m Ø).

Imagine building a rotating structure the volume of the ISS for 150 Million EUR in 2017 prices -for 3 connected M’s-; or 300 Million EUR -for 6 M’s-. Learning from the ISS experience and building on technologies developed by the Space Agencies involved, our ONESTAGETOSPACE concept is an approach fit for the 21st century, while delivering better value.