Spacecraft structure for orbital assembly and servicing

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a spacecraft for assembly and servicing in orbit is provided by a payload module including mission sensors and equipment with a docking fitting at one end; a propulsion module containing propulsion fuel tanks and thrusters with a docking fitting at one end and a bus module containing a power generation system with docking fittings at both ends adapted to couple to said payload module and said propulsion module fittings.
Each of the modules includes Shuttle attachment means for separately attaching each of the modules separately to the cargo bay of the shuttle with the docking fittings of the payload and propulsion modules extending away from the cargo bay for easy attachment to the bus module fitting and the docking fittings being adapted to be fit to each other in orbit to form, when assembled, an in orbit serviceable satellite structure.