Tutorial: ISS

From Kerbal Space Program Wiki
Revision as of 03:23, 30 March 2013 by Vanyamil (talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search
"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

Proton-8K82K

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

Zarya - 1A/R

Ship Design

Zarya before launch

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


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 It is possible to achieve this orbit with precise flying or an autopilot. It leaves 60% of 3rd-stage fuel and a full on-station tank.
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!

Unity - 1A Coming Soon

Ship Design

Mission Phases

Zvezda - 1R Not built yet

Working on it...

What now

Possibly a lunar base? Let your imagination run wild!