Large space structure experiments for Apollo Applications Program (AAP)

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Donald McKelvy
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In 1966 NASA asked the Convair Division of General Dynamic to research the use of Apollo systems to test out large scale space construction projects. This research generated a report that consists of five volumes.

Large space structure experiments for AAP. Volume 1 - Summary Final report, 15 Sep. 1966 - 15 Sep. 1967
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680020064_1968020064.pdf

This volume summarizes the results of the entire study.
 

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Large space structure experiments for AAP. Volume 4 - Focusing X-ray telescope a large space structure for X-ray astronomy Final report, 15 Sep. 1966 - 15 Sep. 1967
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680020067_1968020067.pdf

This volume contains the details of the focusing X-ray telescope a large space structure for X-ray astronomy one of the three concepts selected at mid-term for detailed analysis.
 

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Additional concepts from Large space structure experiments for AAP. Volume 2 - Analysis and evaluation of space structure concepts Final report, 15 Sep. 1966 - 15 Sep. 1967
 

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"Large communication antenna of the future" on a stamp:

liberia_1974_post_mi_block_70a.jpg
 

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http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7569.0;attach=175960

Looks as if an Apollo married a solar sail. Very sci-fi !
 
...Anyone got a source or even a suggestion on where to look for information insofar as how those geodesic "fullerene" structures would have been compressed and deployed? I'm actually having a bit of a headache trying to wrap around what sort of origami would have been required to compress what's inherently a highly stable structure into a payload that can fit in between the top of an S-IVB and the SLA panels.
 
I really lament how these were never tried. I hope SuperHeavy and company can change that.
 

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