The orbital space vehicle depicted on the GI JOE lunch box is unique. By stowing a small manned vehicle in the "mother shuttle's" cargo bay, the configuration extends the ability of the mission to reach a much higher orbital altitude. NASA launches unmanned "upper stage" rockets from low Earth orbit by stowing them in the space shuttle, deploying them a safe distance from the shuttle, and activating their engines. Though they are unmanned, they serve a similar purpose to GI JOE's stowed vehicle. They are able to place a payload in a much higher orbit than the shuttle can achieve.