Slide 58 of 99
Notes:
The Option C Space Station would have been launched in one piece on a new unmanned Shuttle-derived heavy-lift rocket. The design was regarded as a very high-risk venture since the Station would have to be developed essentially from scratch and tested in a very short time, and it would rely on a new launch vehicle that would have to work on its maiden voyage (NASA was going to use cannibalized parts from the Shuttle Orbiter “Columbia” to save money). Nonetheless, the “blue ribbon” selection panel endorsed Option C along with Option A. NASA proposed to farm out the construction of the “can” to Russia in order to save money. The Russians declined, however, since they felt the bid wasn't detailed enough.