Project "Starlab" space station

[K_Jameson]

Soon, I hope. I have some real-life problems that drain time and the work schedule is now a bit relaxed than before, but... the model is at least 95% done, the internals are 100% done... the Sc3 configuration is at 0% but i don't expect it takes a lot of time. The most boring part is the documentation...

 

[K_Jameson]

Some news here. After some talks, Vittorio and I have decided to try some modification of the internals: a more comfortable "sleep deck" in the shelter module and a crew meeting room in the "middle deck" of the station's main body.

Meanwhile, i proceed to improve the externals. I have progressively added:

- Surveillance/docking radars (three, one for every docking port);
- two high gain communication antennas;
- new instruments for Earth study: a microwave radiometer, a multispectral camera, a Fourier spectrometer;
- a new PDGF at the aft of the spacecraft;
- a small hatch for vacuum exposure of samples.

 

[Hank]

This project has my fullest attention it really has! Simply as it is a most interesting concept (based on a single station launched in one piece like Skylab but also Salyut).
Especially the idea of having 2 or even 3 stations put together (towards 150% more working area compared to ISS.
Really looking forward to Starlab. :thumbup:

Cheers

 

[K_Jameson]

Detail of the mini-airlock for vacuum exposure of samples.
No real use, but i hope it is a nice touch.

 

[K_Jameson]

Fresh news: Vittorio has nearly completed the new internals. Here some screenshots. "Middle deck" level with the conference room, zero-g toilet, zero-g shower, gym area with ARED, cyclette, tapis roulant T2:

Also, new racks have been added in the "upper deck" (laboratory level) and the "shelter/sleep deck" was completed with another zero-G toilet and some other equipments for prolonged stay times in event of an emergency (eg. a solar flare)
Externally, new textures for the solar panels and new radiators have been added.

 

[Hank]

Looks awesome!! Can't wait to put that into orbit!

Cheers

 

[K_Jameson]

OK, this is very premature, but...
...here a concept for an hypotetical expansion for the station with another Starlab-sized module, this time built around an HES-5 rocket stage (the upper stage of the well known Jarvis M launcher).
A similar module, that make use of several components already developed for Starlab, can add around 230 cubic metres of living and work space.

 

[Hank]

Wow, I do like the concept! With different equiped, but similiar modules you can build an amazing versatile space station....or colony :thumbup:

Cheers

 

[ISProgram]

When I see that expansion module, I don't see a expansion module module at all. I see a very large resupply spacecraft...:hmm:

 

[orbitingpluto]

Yay, new renders!:speakcool:

I like the expansion module; even though it's really too early ask questions like this, I'm wondering what mass it might be. I'm hoping it'll be in within 40mt-50mt range, perfect for either the Jarvis B or E for LEO ops, especially since there there's so few payloads for the Jarvis B. I'd like you to give it some thought, but don't feel rushed on my account.

 

[K_Jameson]

I'm wondering what mass it might be. I'm hoping it'll be in within 40mt-50mt range, perfect for either the Jarvis B or E for LEO ops, especially since there there's so few payloads for the Jarvis B.

I have grossly estimated a fully equipped weight of about 48,000/55,000 kg. We are in the Jarvis E range. A new fairing will be be needed, anyway.

---------- Post added at 08:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 AM ----------

When I see that expansion module, I don't see a expansion module module at all. I see a very large resupply spacecraft...:hmm:

Excellent idea! Verrazzano on steroids :lol:

 

[Anroalh12]

How is the project? When do you think you will be able to release it?

 

[K_Jameson]

How is the project? When do you think you will be able to release it?

Modeling and texturing are nearly complete, both for internals and externals.
I have to play with the material properties and the animations. The list of materials and mesh groups is pretty long (Starlab is a bit complicated spacecraft), so this ain't a speedy task.
The launch vehicle integration, the documentation and the scenarios are yet to do.
I have some real-life priorities, so I think that the release will not occur before some time. I hope to release Starlab and the expansion module (Starchaser?) in the same package.

 

[Pipcard]

Wasn't Loru developing a spaceplane called Starchaser?

 

[K_Jameson]

I did not know. I'll find another name...

---------- Post added 01-15-15 at 02:17 PM ---------- Previous post was 01-14-15 at 03:07 PM ----------

Wasn't Loru developing a spaceplane called Starchaser?

Is that project still alive?

 

[Urwumpe]

Is that project still alive?

AFAIR yes, its part of the Themis launchers.

Also, there is that one:

[ame="http://orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3942"]Xprize Starchaser 5[/ame]

 

[Malky]

What about "Stargazer"?

 

[Urwumpe]

What about "Stargazer"?

Great Rainbow song.

But Stargazer is also the carrier plane for the Pegasus rockets.

 

[K_Jameson]

Great Rainbow song.

But Stargazer is also the carrier plane for the Pegasus rockets.

More importantly, the U.S.S. Stargazer was the first ship of the captain Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

 

[Urwumpe]

More importantly, the U.S.S. Stargazer was the first ship of the captain Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Well... we should use the tense of Future III* there...

"The U.S.S. Stargazer would being be the first ship of the captain Jean-Luc Picard"

* Grammatical form especially invented for talking about all those future events that will take place, if just the airport of Berlin would have been completed then and not further delayed.