Space station entry

[Altaïr]

Well, I never did this one, so let's do it!

For more fun I'll build the space station in IRIS. I already have designed it (thanks for the infinite build area cheat!), I'll send it and assemble it in several modules as required.

Modules are generally quite heavy, so I'll need a powerful launcher for this. That's why I'll use my new one, built for this purpose. I've already showed it, but let me present officially...

The Obsidian!

That behemoth is able to carry more than 100 tons to LEO in IRIS. The launcher is slightly bp-edited, but all changes are fair:
- some fuel tanks have been edited to fit the required size
- the fairings have been edited for the same reason
- heat has been turned off for the second and third stage engines, so that they don't blow up the stage that was dumped right before when I light them on (though explosions might be fun)

Let's go for the first module:

Lift-off!

Then the launcher works at full power until booster separation:


First stage separation and second stage ignition. The fairings are discarded right after to alleviate the launcher:


Second stage separation and third stage ignition:


Then finally the launcher reaches orbit:


The service module and first part of the station is now in place, I just have to let the debris reenter:


To be continued of course. There's more to come, but I probably won't detail as much each of the flight, because there are 12 of them scheduled, and as they all use the same launcher they will be similar. But of course I'll show each launcher with its payload once the fairing is discarded to prove that each module was launched separately, and the docking maneuvers.

Don't hesitate to tell me if I'm missing something, you're allowed to have no mercy towards the moderator

 

[Altaïr]

Here's the second launch:


A generator module is now on its way to the station:


Once orbit is reached, the rendez-vous:


And the upper stages are thrown into the atmosphere as usual, to avoid that they become space debris that could harm the station.


Now here comes a third launch, the propulsion unit:

This is one of the mandatory modules, it will give the station some maneuver capability, to correct its orbit.


The rendez-vous:


And the small module is deorbited:

 

[The epic chicken]

Don't hesitate to tell me if I'm missing something, you're allowed to have no mercy towards the moderator

Well, you'll need a few things

For starters you'll want to have a hab for the astronauts to live, some solar panels to generate some electricity, an escape pod if you ever have an emergency, a nice docking area that large rockets can get to easily and a propulsion system that can change your station's orbit independently of any docked spacecraft and you'll have a complete space station

 

[Altaïr]

Well, you'll need a few things

For starters you'll want to have a hab for the astronauts to live, some solar panels to generate some electricity, an escape pod if you ever have an emergency, a nice docking area that large rockets can get to easily and a propulsion system that can change your station's orbit independently of any docked spacecraft and you'll have a complete space station

Ah, thanks for the recap.
It's not supposed to be over, don't worry. All those things are planned, I even believe the propulsion system arrived while you were typing.

 

[The epic chicken]

I even believe the propulsion system arrived while you were typing.

It sure did

 

[Altaïr]

Here are the next 3 launches!

4th launch

The fuel depots:


Now the Obsidian is loaded to its full capacity, I'll have no room for mistake.


Then the rendez-vous:


And docking:

Those are 2 fuel depot units to feed the propulsion unit, or the generator in case of emergency or for maintenance periods. Of course it can also refuel a visiting ship.

5th launch


Here come the much needed solar panels. It doesn't look like, but those 2 arms weigh 80 tons...

Launch!


Rendez-vous:


And docking:

Let's continue with the...

6th launch


So what do we need after solar panels? Obviously, MOAAR solar panels!!

Launch!


Docking:

Now may the station come to life!

Now the station is autonomous in terms of maneuver capabilities and electricity generation, it's ready to house manned modules.

To be continued...

 

[Altaïr]

New set of launches!

Here we have the 7th launch:


The first manned part will be a laboratory! The guys there will be supposed to do some science, so the lab will give them all sorts of equipments.

Launch!


Then the rendez- vous...


And docking!

8th launch

Here comes the habitation module!


Actually that one was so heavy that I had to remove most of the fuel to be able to launch it.


And docking:

Now the astronauts have a place where to rest.

So, what's next?

9th launch

The guys will be there to do some science right?
Then let's send more science modules!


Launch!


And finally, docking!

This antenna is a highly advanced prototype of electromagnetic sensor. It can observe the furthest known regions of the universe in a wide spectrum of radiofrequencies. Don't tell NASA but actually the scientists mostly use it to get access to the Internet and watch some kitten videos on youtube.

The cupola on its side acts as a command center aswell as an advanced observatory outpost. However it's mostly used by the scientists to impress their girlfriend by filming themselves with the Earth visible in the background, or to make amazing streamings on Twitch that will certainly give them an insane amount of likes and followers.

I'm done with those launches, but as one of the module has been sent not full due to mass constraints, I'll replenish it with the content of the fuel reserves and order a new launch to replace them. I have access to the NASA's budget, so I can do whatever I want:


However it happens to be very tedious, as all docking ports keep attracting eachother, including from a surprisingly large distance.
In the end I manage to place the new depots and send back the empty ones to Earth:


At least that's a good repetition for future operations of maintenance.

That's how the station is now:

 

[The epic chicken]

New set of launches!

Here we have the 7th launch:
View attachment 79175

The first manned part will be a laboratory! The guys there will be supposed to do some science, so the lab will give them all sorts of equipments.

Launch!
View attachment 79176 View attachment 79177

Then the rendez- vous...
View attachment 79178

And docking!
View attachment 79179

8th launch

Here comes the habitation module!
View attachment 79180

Actually that one was so heavy that I had to remove most of the fuel to be able to launch it.
View attachment 79181 View attachment 79182 View attachment 79183

And docking:
View attachment 79184
Now the astronauts have a place where to rest.

So, what's next?

9th launch

The guys will be there to do some science right?
Then let's send more science modules!
View attachment 79185

Launch!
View attachment 79186 View attachment 79187 View attachment 79188

And finally, docking!
View attachment 79189

This antenna is a highly advanced prototype of electromagnetic sensor. It can observe the furthest known regions of the universe in a wide spectrum of radiofrequencies. Don't tell NASA but actually the scientists mostly use it to get access to the Internet and watch some kitten videos on youtube.

The cupola on its side acts as a command center aswell as an advanced observatory outpost. However it's mostly used by the scientists to impress their girlfriend by filming themselves with the Earth visible in the background, or to make amazing streamings on Twitch that will certainly give them an insane amount of likes and followers.

I'm done with those launches, but as one of the module has been sent not full due to mass constraints, I'll replenish it with the content of the fuel reserves and order a new launch to replace them. I have access to the NASA's budget, so I can do whatever I want:
View attachment 79190 View attachment 79191

However it happens to be very tedious, as all docking ports keep attracting eachother, including from a surprisingly large distance.
In the end I manage to place the new depots and send back the empty ones to Earth:
View attachment 79192 View attachment 79193

At least that's a good repetition for future operations of maintenance.

That's how the station is now:
View attachment 79194

All that's needed now is is an escape pod I think

 

[Pink]

Magnificent! Everything designed with such care.

 

[Altaïr]

Magnificent! Everything designed with such care.

Thanks

It took some time, I'm glad it looks like something decent

I'll continue with the 3 next launches. This will end the station itself, but this won't be over as it will need a last launch to send the crew with their capsule.

So, here is the 10th launch


Launch and orbit:


Then docking...

And destruction of the convoy vehicle:


Now the 11th launch


Orbit:


And the rendez-vous:

With those 2 storage bays, the station is complete to welcome its first astronauts. But before this, there will be a last launch to send a stock of supplies aboard the station. All future resupply missions will follow that format.

So here is the 12th launch


Last mission of the Obsidian before the station is operational:


And docking:

That cargo vehicle can be undocked and sent back into the atmosphere. It has a built-in probe and some RCS, so it's fully autonomous by itself.

This is the station now:

To be continued...

 

[Lord Krishna]

That station is beautiful, but it lacks a very important module! I'll add it for you.

Launch!


Orbit...


Rendez-vous...


And docking!


And voila, here is a beautiful thermodynamics module! Now your station is perfect!

 

[Altaïr]

Piggy?! Wait, what have you done...

Did he...

*starts SFS*

Wait it's really there!!

Piggy, what the fuck?! How did that bot manage to add a module to my station? It looks like shit now!

And you used the Obsidian to launch such a light module?! Come on, we have access to the budget of NASA but we don't work at Boeing!

And what are we supposed to do with a thermodynamics module? Well, I realize that this station lacks some toilets, now that it's there...

 

[Lord Krishna]

And what are we supposed to do with a thermodynamics module?

Haven't you heard? That's a request from one of our engineers. He tries designing rockets using thermodynamics but they constantly fail, so he asked us to carry out some experiments so that he can better understand how thermodynamics work.

Well, I realize that this station lacks some toilets, now that it's there...

I'm sorry but Bob really insisted that this module only could be used to carry out some thermodynamics experiments.

 

[Altaïr]

I'm sorry but Bob really insisted that this module only could be used to carry out some thermodynamics experiments.

Ah, a special request from Bob? Ok, I'll make a nice thermodynamics experiment for him...

Spoiler: Thermodynamics experiment

There's no doubt about it, when the thermodynamics module is dropped into the atmosphere, its entropy suddenly increases by a great value!

Ok, back to the station. We are doing some serious stuff there.

Now that it's complete we can send a crewed capsule.

The capsule is very light, 10 tons, so I'll use a smaller launcher:

Yes we had some budget cuts, I had to do with what I had.

Here is the launch:


Yes, that small capsule doesn't even have an engine, once it's in orbit the RCS are enough to do the job.


And docking:

A similar capsule is sent as a backup:

The station is finally complete!

Now to finish, I'll send back one of the capsule back to Earth to test the life boat reliability:


The station is operational, mission accomplished

 

[UN Cosmo Navy]

That station is beautiful, but it lacks a very important module! I'll add it for you.

Launch!
View attachment 79279 View attachment 79280

Orbit...
View attachment 79281

Rendez-vous...
View attachment 79282

And docking!
View attachment 79283

And voila, here is a beautiful thermodynamics module! Now your station is perfect!
View attachment 79284

Oh shit...... there he is....doin the things that breaks my heart now...

 

[The epic chicken]

Ah, a special request from Bob? Ok, I'll make a nice thermodynamics experiment for him...

Spoiler: Thermodynamics experiment

There's no doubt about it, when the thermodynamics module is dropped into the atmosphere, its entropy suddenly increases by a great value!
View attachment 79286

Ok, back to the station. We are doing some serious stuff there.

Now that it's complete we can send a crewed capsule.

The capsule is very light, 10 tons, so I'll use a smaller launcher:
View attachment 79287
Yes we had some budget cuts, I had to do with what I had.

Here is the launch:
View attachment 79292 View attachment 79293 View attachment 79294 View attachment 79295

Yes, that small capsule doesn't even have an engine, once it's in orbit the RCS are enough to do the job.
View attachment 79296

And docking:
View attachment 79297

A similar capsule is sent as a backup:
View attachment 79298

The station is finally complete!
View attachment 79299

Now to finish, I'll send back one of the capsule back to Earth to test the life boat reliability:
View attachment 79300 View attachment 79301 View attachment 79302 View attachment 79303 View attachment 79304

The station is operational, mission accomplished

That thermodynamics module didn't fare well against reentery

 

[Altaïr]

That thermodynamics module didn't fare well against reentery

Now that I think about it, I hope that won't count as a broken part
Damn piggy...

 

[Pink]

Hehe, I'm sure that we can consider it a discarded stage....

 

[Altaïr]

Hehe, I'm sure that we can consider it a discarded stage....

Yes! Yes it's a discarded stage. Look, it's so ugly that it can't be anything else than a debris!

 

[Pink]

By my reckoning this station fulfills every requirement now, so congratulations on the badge!
And thank you for showing this build.

 

[Altaïr]

Yay thanks
In the end that badge costed a lot of time.

Fun fact: the complete station weighs practically 1000 tons:

 

[UN Cosmo Navy]

Yay thanks
In the end that badge costed a lot of time.

Fun fact: the complete station weighs practically 1000 tons:
View attachment 79405

....noice

 

[Quantum Aeronautical Labs]

Can I et some of these modules, trying to build an Interstellar Space-station

 

[UN Cosmo Navy]

Can I et some of these modules, trying to build an Interstellar Space-station

IDK about that....

 

[Altaïr]

Can I et some of these modules, trying to build an Interstellar Space-station

Ok, I've shared the original blueprint here: Complete space station

I'm usually not a very good builder, I'm surprised that I got such a request