Tutorial: ISS

“

"It's fantastic. I can't say how much this means to all of us." — Robert Cabana, first person to enter the ISS

”

Welcome to my first tutorial! Here, we will try to re-enact one of the most important space programs : the International Space Station(ISS/MKC)

All of the designs are based on actual modules and rockets. Of course, I can't do it perfectly, but I am trying my best. Also, I am doing it without any mod parts, but I use MechJeb for autopilot. I will go and add more launches when I'll do them myself.

Vocabulary list

Just so you know, some terms I am using here :

• Zenith - top side of the ship; usually oriented away from the orbited body.
• Nadir - bottom side of the ship; usually oriented towards the orbited body.
• Port - left side of the ship
• Starboard - right side of the ship
• Front - front side/end of the ship
• Aft - back side/end of the ship

Proton-K - Russian Launcher

This is a recreation of the Russian rocket Proton 8K82K. I used it for all of the current modules, even if American modules were launched with the Space Shuttle.

Ship Design

• Payload
  • Add whatever you want; the current maximum launched is 13.02 tons (Zarya)
• Third Stage
  • 1x Clamp-o-tron Docking Port OR a decoupler/separator for the payload
  • 1x MechJeb 1m Pod OR any pod you will use
  • 1x Rockomax X200-8 Fuel Tank
  • 8x Z-400 Rechargeable Battery (if you use an unmanned pod)
  • 1x FL-R1 RCS Fuel Tank
  • 8x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block
  • 1x Rockomax "Poodle" Liquid Engine

• Second Stage
  • 1x Rockomax Brand Adapter
  • 1x Rockomax X200-32 Fuel Tank
  • 3x Delta-Deluxe Winglet
  • 3x Rockomax Mark 55 Radial Mount Liquid Engine
  • 1x Rockomax "Mainsail" Liquid Engine
• First Stage
  • 1x Rockomax Brand Adapter
  • 7x Rockomax Jumbo 64 Fuel Tank (1 in middle + 6 symmetric radial NO DECOUPLERS)
  • 7x Rockomax "Mainsail" Liquid Engine
  • 6x S.A.S. Module (only on the exterior 6 tanks)
  • 6x Mk16-XL Parachute
  • 12x AV-R8 Winglet (not in actual rocket but is necessary for stability)
  • 12x EAS-4 Strut Connector (connect to next stage for stability and between the tanks)

Zarya - 1A/R

Ship Design

Front to aft (1st-level bullets indicate the body; 2nd-level indicates radially-mounted parts):

• 1x Clamp-o-tron Docking Port
• 1x Rockomax Hubmax Multi-Point Connector
  • 1x Clamp-o-tron Docking Port (nadir on Hubmax)
  • 3x M-1x1 Structural Panel (zenith, port and starboard on Hubmax)
  • 2x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block (port and starboard on the 1x1 panels)
  • 2x Z-400 Rechargeable Battery (zenith on 1x1 panels)
• 1x MechJeb 1m Pod ***OR*** S.A.S. Module (if you don't have MechJeb, look lower for directions)
• 1x Rockomax Brand Adapter 02
  • 4x Z-400 Rechargeable Battery
  • 4x EAS-4 Strut Connector
• 1x Rockomax X200-8 Fuel Tank
  • 2x Gigantor XL Solar Array (port and starboard)
  • 4x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block (put diagonnaly so it doesn't touch the arrays)
  • 1x Communotron 88-88 (zenith so it doesn't get in the way of docking)
  • 1x Communotron 16 (nadir)
• 1x FL-R1 RCS Fuel Tank
• 1x Advanced S.A.S. Module, Large
  • 4x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block
  • 2x Rockomax 24-77 (zenith and nadir)
• 1x S.A.S. Module

• 1x Rockomax Brand Adapter OR Command Pod Mk1-2 (if you don't have MechJeb)
  • 8x EAS-4 Strut Connector (connect to A.S.A.S.)
  • 4x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block
• 1x Rockomax Brand Adapter 02

• 1x Clamp-o-tron Docking Port

STATS :

• MASS(full): 13.02 tons
• Delta-v in vacuum: 1081 m/s

The Mission

The original Zarya launch happened on November 20, 1998. I can't find the original orbital information The module was placed on a Low Earth Orbit, which usually corresponds to 160 to 2000 km. The current ISS orbit is 402km PE * 424km AP with a 51.6 orbital inclination. So, if you want to make it good, launch as usual, with a gravity turn starting at 10km. Turn towards 38.4 degrees (the 51.6 inclination). Continue until you reach 424km apoapsis, then burn there to get 402km periapsis. I'll have to test myself if it's possible with the current Proton-K design
When you have the stable orbit, open the solar panels and the antennas. Move the station to orient it the good way (the one radial docking port facing the Earth; the Hubmax towards your prograde vector). Transfer any fuel or electricity (if you are in the dark zone) then either undock the third stage or keep it until the Zvezda mission.
There you go, the ISS begins to exist!

Zvezda - 1R Not built yet

Working on it...

What now

Possibly a lunar base? Let your imagination run wild!