Tutorial:Mun Orbital Station

This tutorial will show you how to create a multi-functional münar orbital station

Specifications

• Length: 30–60 minutes
• Difficulty: Hard
• For version: 0.23+ (unless you build your own rocket)

Steps

Step 1 - Building your Mun Launcher

Your Mun Launcher should be capable of launching craft into orbit around the Mun and be able to return home.

Mun I

This launcher was of my own design. It weighs 281.47t and has a thrust to weight ratio of 2.61.

• Payload
  • Munar Lander
  • Munar Station
  • Large fuel tank
• Third Stage
  • 1x Clamp-O-Tron Docking Port
  • 1x Mk1-2 Command Pod or any other pod (doesn't matter if it is un-manned)
    • 2x Mk2-R Radial-Mount Parachute
    • 1x MechJeb 2 (AR202 case) (optional)
  • 1x Rockomax Brand Decoupler
  • 1x FL-R1 RCS Fuel Tank
  • 1x Rockomax X200-16 Fuel Tank
    • 4x Gigantor XL Solar Array
    • 4x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block
  • 1x Rockomax "Poodle" Liquid Engine
• Second Stage
  • 1x Rockomax Brand Decoupler
  • 1x Rockomax Jumbo-64 Fuel Tank
    • 4x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block (Positioned at top of fuel tank)
    • 4x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block (Positioned in middle of fuel tank)
    • 4x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block (Positioned at bottom of fuel tank)
  • 1x Rockomax "Mainsail" Liquid Engine
• First Stage
  • 1x Rockomax Brand Decoupler
  • 1x Kerbodyne ADTP-2-3
    • 4x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block
  • 1x TR-38-D
  • 1x Kerbodyne S3-7200 Tank
    • 4x RV-105 RCS Thruster Block
  • 1x Kerbodyne S3-14400 Tank
    • 2x TT-70 Radial Decoupler
      • 2x LFB KR-1x2
  • 1x S3 KS-25x4 Engine Cluster

Add Struts where you like! Especially on the bottom stage. These will serve to reinforce the spacecraft.

Payloads

Mun Lander

This is capable of landing on the Mun and launching back into orbit around the Mun.

• 1x Clamp-O-Tron Docking Port
• 1x FL-R25 RCS Fuel Tank
• 1x Mk1-2 Command Pod or other pod
  • 1x MechJeb 2 (AR202 case) (optional)
• 1x Rockomax X200-16 Fuel Tank
  • 1x Telus-LV Bay Mobility Enhancer (at top in line with command pod ladder/hatch)
  • 4x LT-2 Landing Strut (at bottom)
• 1x Rockomax "Poodle" Liquid Engine
• 1x TR-18A Stack Decoupler
• 1x Clamp-O-Tron Docking Port

Mun Station

This is the main hub for the station and is very expandable with 6 docking ports. It weighs exactly 10t.

• 1x Clamp-O-Tron Docking Port
• 1x PPD-10 Hitchhiker Storage Container
  • 4x Gigantor XL Solar Array
• 1x Z-4K Rechargeable Battery Bank
• 1x Rockomax HubMax Multi-Point Connector
  • 4x Clamp-O-Tron Docking Port
• 1x Z-4K Rechargeable Battery Bank
• 1x PPD-10 Hitchhiker Storage Container
  • 4x Gigantor XL Solar Array
• 1x [[Clamp-O-Tron Docking Port]

Fuel Tanks

These can be refueled by a supply rocket. It weighs 12.5t.

• 1x Clamp-O-Tron Docking Port
• 1x Rockomax X200-16 Fuel Tank
• 1x FL-R1 RCS Fuel Tank
• 1x Clamp-O-Tron Docking Port

Now we're over all the boring stuff, let's get onto the technical details: getting to Mum, hopefully in one piece. If you're not familiar with getting out of Kerbin's orbit and going over to mun please refer to this link (link will be added).

There are many ways to get to the Mün. One such way is to make an elliptical orbit around Kerbin that reaches the Mün. The gravity of the Mün can do part of the work, but slowing down is also useful. Once you reach the Mün, circularize. Repeat this process with the added step of docking new modules. Another way is to simply use the debug menu to make it orbit, then make later modules intercept.