SelfLaunchingSpaceColonyModules Home Main TMP Project Talk Chapter Gov Net GIG Know TMP . This is a currently evolving topic and is a powerful possibility for future space colonies. The difference is the immediate size and scope of such a station.
ISS components are small enough to fit within the space shuttle cargo bay.
To extend this model, we can do away with the wasted parts of the vehicle, i.e. the orbiter. The engines are then moved to the bottom of the tank. We now have a SingleStageToOrbit vehicle on a one way mission. Once in orbit, the fuel tanks and engines may be recycled. The rest of the payload is unpacked and the station is built up on the inside.