Project "Starlab" space station

Feel free to do it. Renaming project isn't much of an effort.
 
Just an opinion on the new interior K_Jameson, but I think it's a least a bit too open. But, that's just my opinion.
 
Just for giving some specs: net internal diameter of the racks area is 5.50 meters, for about 4 / 4.50 meters of height, not counting the upper dome.
 
Last edited:
Some progress in the animations: main solar panels opened. Still not perfect but... so far, so good.



 
Within this evening i hope to implementing all the animations of the panels (main and secondary solar panels; radiators).
I notice some weird illumination effects on the main panels (one of the two appears dark even in full sunlight...). The effect comes only after the deployment, thus is related to the type of animation implemented... if the problem persists, i'm forced to modificate radically the aperture mechanism!!!

---------- Post added at 11:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:37 PM ----------

All panels opened:

 
I like Starlab so much, I decided to try and recreate it (including the second Starlab and expansion module) in Kerbal Space Program using stock parts (no part add-ons):

es6Wbui.png


Like Starlab, the large sections are made out of fuel tanks, but there is currently no way (including mods) of converting those large fuel tanks into habitable space (there are wet workshop mods, but I haven't seen any that work on those tanks).

(Okay, I've made some mistakes, such as that there isn't supposed to be a docking port in the cupola section on the side with the "radiators")
 
Last edited:
Next step will be the completion of the IR telescope / "Cupolas" animations. Regarding this, I want give the informal names "Brunelleschi" and "Michelangelo", authors of the two most famous domes of the world: the Florence Cathedral and the St. Peter Basilica in Rome.

After this, the main external animations will be complete. Then, the internal and external hatches and the two airlocks (main/EVA and secondary/samples).

Subsequent steps:

- exhaust configuration
- docking ports configuration
- grapple points configuration
- launch configuration with Quasar 452
- Packaging and launch configuration of the robotic arm with another rocket (Neptune-1)

The final package will include launch scenarios with Antares, Eridanus and Verrazzano spacecrafts.

The "expansion module" idea is not abandoned... some work on it was already done.
 
Last edited:
A great package you are building here no doubt. I look forward to using it in Orbiter. Not sure where exactly I want to throw it, maybe in lunar orbit, or maybe somewhere else, I am not sure, but it is a perfect sort of SpaceLab mk 2 kind of thing, and should be a great add-on for many an Orbinaut out there.
 
Cras, how about one in LEO and another one in a lunar orbit.....
 
For placing 178 tonnes in lunar orbit you need a complicated LEO assembly and at least three Quasar 452 launches, one for Starlab itself and a pair for a large propulsion module (not planned yet).

In retrospect, allowing immediately the possibility of a BLEO profile of mission (not necessarily Mars!), not only with a mere scenario with the station already in place, can be a good addition for the final package.
 
I was thinking about maybe the moon or an L-point. Mars might be a bit much at this time.

I don't expect it to be an easy thing getting this ship out of LEO but it seems like design well suited for the task. At the moment there is no real solution for constructing a station out there unless you are willing to take the XR5 for a spin, which I am not, I am not a fan of that vehicle.

But putting this up into orbit and then slapping some kicks to it to throw it out to a more exotic locale does have a certain appeal. Especially seeing all the detail you are putting into it. A one stop shop for your prefab space station.
 
I like your thinking.

First rule in government spending: Why have one when you can have two for twice the price.

I see what you did there.
 
I don't expect it to be an easy thing getting this ship out of LEO but it seems like design well suited for the task.


Well, the BLEO is one of the ultimate goals of Starlab. A Molniya orbit can be an interesting alternative; Quasar has a consistent margin over the Starlab weight, but i'm not sure it can put the massive station in an orbit so high.

Naturally, this orbit is difficult to reach with ordinary resupply spacecrafts. It is out of range for Eridanus and Antares SR, requiring the long range Antares LR. Verrazzano is perfectly suited for BLEO operations, at the cost of a very limited cargo capability.
 
Back
Top