GASS, Mission 1-5

[Grover]

Well, the time has come to launch the first parts! after some preparations and research, i have found my construction methods, as described in my mission plan

[Mission 1- Tug launch] ---==--- a Tranzit tug, will be launched using the Energia and a DM2 tug, placing the Tranzit in a 400Km orbit, with plane close to the moon (RInc < 0.5*), it will then serve as the reference point for all other launches (Tug's designation is "z GASS"

[Mission 2- Hab1 mission] once orbit is achieved by the tug, an XR5 loaded with 2 hab modules, two hab nodes and a truss anchor will launch to bring the first parts to orbit, these will be assembled by the tug, the XR5 will return to WIN to load up for mission 3

[Mission 3- power and cooling] as the station will begin to operate immediately, it will not have long before its systems get hot, and its batteries run flat, so another mission will be launched immediately to add the first 3 solar modules to the station, to be attached to the truss anchor. whilst the radiators are attached to truss nodes on either side of the anchor

[Mission 4- further Solar power] with the addition of another truss, another 3 solar panels will be added on the port side of the stack, giving the entire station the ability to shut down the batteries and fuel cells permanently, and rely entirely on the solar power during the daylight parts of orbit

[Mission 5- Hab2] extention of the hab stack, by addition of two more modules on the port and starboard side, each with a cupola to finish the branch


these may change as I do them (like putting panels on the wrong side :S), but thats basically how I will start the station up

the scenario for the first mission is here for anyone interested, just drop it in the scenario's folder and you're away!
you will require [ame=http://orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3666]Wideawake international[/ame], the [ame=http://orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=1036]Energy project[/ame], [ame=http://orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=1292]Space Tugs[/ame], XR5 (with [ame=http://orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3426]SSB cargo expansion[/ame]) and [ame=http://orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3177]SSB 4.1B[/ame] (install SBB BEFORE XR5 cargo adapation]) [Edit] oops, fixed the scenario now, now the tug is ACTUALLY in the buran

As I complete each mission, I will update this post with screenshots and mission debrief, just keep an eye out

later folks!
-=-Grover-=-

 

[Naruby]

Nice scenario, I'm using it for my first station build ever and have the time of my life.
I'm do with the assembling in mission 2, now getting back to base to loadup for mission 3.
I had 1 prob: the Tranzit tug wasn't in the Buran. Even if I load it in and save & reload it lays again below the launch pad. Easy fix: load & launch away

GASS Mission 2 assembly phase 3

GASS Mission2 assembly completed

Next 2 missions will up thermal & cooling elements on both side of the anchor.

 

[Grover]

Thats just a bug with payload manager. I found a way to fix it but i forgot...

I might give this another go, i got annoyed last.time when orbiter crashed and i lost a whole mission, but ill have to start again, else i wont know where to put things.

Also, ive decided on going up to a smerch tug and putting the station higher up, perhaps at 1M or 1.2-1.3M Alt. The XR5 can certainly reach that high with a bay full-o-parts.

And ill also make this place support refuelling, somehow...

Laters

 

[Grover]

oohh, some playing around has had benefits!

ive used Artlav's tool to convert the solar panels and radiators into custom DLLs, and now i can put them in through the XR5s payload dialogue!

when i get chance, ill fly mission 1 again and post the screenies up here, its about time GASS started getting up there

 

[Naruby]

The first 4 solar panel are in place!
Unfolding is planned after all solars are in place and XR5 is away from the station.

One I landed and put the payload for mission 4 in the XR5 I've noticed that I forgot the planned radiators in mission 3. As I have enough empty payload in mission 5 this shouldn't be a prob.

Overall M3 when very smooth comparing M2. Main reason is that I had a 'lightbold switch on' moment after M2. I didn't dock the XR5 in M2 to any of the space station blocks. So every time the station floated away it was more traveltime for the Tranzit tug. In M3 I've docked the XR5 witch made a stable 'source' and 'target' situation. Live and learn

Picking up the first solar panel.

Uneven panel (p101 + p103) in place, time for the even one's. P102 deployed for XR5.

All 4 panels in place, assmbley phase of M3 done.

 

[Naruby]

Didn't forgot any parts of the payload this time so thumps up!
First phase was putting the remaining solar panels left and right of the core.
Next where the last 2 solars that are docked on the Cube-1 so that they have a core alignment of the main solar array.
Last where the first 4 radiators.

Tranzit grapped the last solar panel.


Then the XR5 undocked and backed away to a safe distance so the solars could be unfoiled.

The XR5 remains close enough the render asistence of there was any trouble with the panel but everything very smooth.

Finally our trusted helper the Tranzit was put back in place, docked on the Main-Beta module.


Back on the Wideawake base the mission clock of the XR5 read 4 days 17 hours 45 minutes



Next, and last mission will deliver the remaining radiators and 2 communication arrrays.