The centerpiece of our STUDENT SHUTTLE PROGRAM is the Cargo Bay Module.
We will discuss this aspect of our program first. The module is a 15 foot or approximately 5 meter cubical structure that is a two story fully self contained structure. This structure provides approximately 450 square feet or 50+ square meters of living space. What we mean by fully self contained is that it is a stand alone unit requiring no utilities (power, water,sewage,communications). In this respect, it is similar to the ISS (International Space Station). The student built Cargo Bay Module incorporates the latest in green building technologies including alternative power, insulation, security, fire protection, and recycle techniques.
Using modular construction methods, the Cargo Bay Module can be built in a period of three weeks. The first week is an orientation session and the other two weeks involve twelve eight hour daily assembly sessions. This is an OJT (on the job) training program that is fast paced and challenging. Students work together as a seven member team just like the astronauts to meet their objectives.
Although the STUDENT CARGO BAY MODULE is a stand alone unit, it can be assembled along with three other units of the same size to form the complete CARGO BAY that has the same dimensions as the actual SPACE SHUTTLE Cargo Bay. When these four modules are combined with the COMMAND MODULE (nose of the SPACE SHUTTLE) and the SERVICE MODULE (the rear of the SPACE SHUTTLE)along with the wings, the structure has the same appearance and dimensions as the actual SPACE SHUTTLE.
For those students who opt to combine their four modues to form a small dormitory while pursuing their post secondary educatiuon, SHUTTLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES furnishes the COMMAND and SERVICE MODULE and wings to complete the structure.
The COMMAND MODULE offers the students access to state of the art computer interfaces along with other proprietary resources that are only made availabe to student participants and sponsors.
The SERVICE MODULE serves as a central laundry facility,exercise facility , and a place to meet and socialize. This unit also has some unique proprietary features.
The WINGS of the structure round out the entire SPACE SHUTTLE and have several unique componets that make for a most unusual and "out of the ordinary" living experience.
The entire assembly sits atop six forty foot or 13+ meters ISO CONTAINERS commonly referred to as CONEX containers. These containers which are the first units to arive at the assembly site, serve both as storage units for the modular components prior to assembly as well as "field construction classrooms". Later these units are converted to student storage units and support structures for the operation of the STUDENT SHUTTLES.
THE SES DESIGN POST will discuss the one week student orientation program and the DESIGN-BUILD exercise.
THE STUDENT SHUTTLE MODULE PROTOTYPE featured above was designed using the 3-D CAD Program GOOGLE SKETCHUP which all students learn and use during the DESIGN-BUILD PROGRAM. The STUDENT SHUTTLE consists of a SERVICE MODULE at the rear of the SHUTTLE which SHUTTLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES provides along with the COMMAND MODULE at the front of the SHUTTLE.
STUDENT SHUTTLE
FULL SCALE SHUTTLE
