6.1 Transportation

   As there are only 2-2 launch sites that will be used to take the MMVS components into LEO, the choice for transportation on Earth of these components is extremely important. The components and modules being transported are massive, fragile to a certain degree and very expensive.  As such, transportation will be accomplished by through three main methods: Air, Sea and Rail.

    Aerial transportation will be conducted by three different craft. The largest modules will be carried by the A300ST Beluga.  The Beluga has the largest internal volume of any present-day aircraft.  The backup carriers would be the Antonov 22-5 and the Lockheed C-5B Galaxy.  All the components would have to be appropriately supported in order to prevent damage to the components.

    Barges already transport many large components and modules, like the Shuttle's external tanks.  Hence, certain oversized components, like the Habitat's and the booster segments of the MMVS and the PMMVS will be transported over water to the various launch sites.

    The last means of transportation would be via the railways.  One of the launch sites is located in the middle of a desert and as such can not be accessed by water.  This is where the extensive and well-connected railway systems in North America, Europe and Asia would be of great assistance.  All the components could be loaded on directly from the factories and transported directly to the launch sites.  However, all the components would have to be placed on shock absorbers in order to isolate and damp out the vibrations.

    The least desirable method of transportation for the components would be by road.  Specialized cargo carriers would have to be designed to carry the oversized components.  As well, the cargo would have to be transported carefully and be escorted by police in order to prevent damage to the very sensitive circuitry.