No Shortage of Dreams | A KSP Skylab Alternative History

[TruthfulGnome]

13 hours ago, Rutabaga22 said:

Was this series inspired by this at all or do they just share the same name?

Happens to have the same name, this alt history had a different name before and zero inspiration from David

[Kerbalsaurus]

I saw that the VAB has the NASA logo on it, which I don’t think is included with the actual model in Kerbal Konstructs. The model I believe is called VAB tier 4. Is this a custom design, or is this some RSS thing I don’t understand?

[AlmondTheAstronaut]

On 10/14/2022 at 7:20 PM, Rutabaga22 said:

Was this series inspired by this at all or do they just share the same name?

pretty sure it is just the name being the same

[TruthfulGnome]

Soon my friends

 

[Rutabaga22]

The suspense.

[TruthfulGnome]

Skylab 8 | SLM-7 | STS-6 - June 7 - 12, 1982
Back To Back



Crew
Commander: Paul J. Weitz
Pilot: Rober F. Overmyer
Mission Specialist 1: Joseph P. Allen
Mission Specialist 2: Norman Thagard

Orbiter:
OV-099 | Challenger

Today, Challenger the sister Orbiter to Columbia is ready for her maiden flight and a back to back Skylab mission, a first since the Apollo days. STS-6 will consist of two main goals with one to deploy TDRS-1 (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System) which will provide future constant communications with Skylab to NASA compared to the current short communication system that depends on the location of the Orbiter. The second goal will be to deploy SPPT (Solar Panel Prototype) which is a solar panel testbed for the future Power Module built by Lockheed which is nearing completion with launch slated for 1984. Even with the modifications done on Challenger there have been talks stirring up about the possibility to stop painting the External Tank to help with weight reduction after STS-6.





Challenger awaiting launch


Crew arm retract








T-35 Seconds and counting


T-10


Liftoff of STS-6!





Roger roll Challenger!


25 seconds, roll maneuverer complete


Go at throttle up!


Solid Rocket Booster separation








Burn looking good!





SSME Shutdown


Clean ET Sep





OMS burn


Payload bay opens revealing TDRS-1 and SPPT


Orbiter payload bay view of PPST and TDRS-1








All systems looking good on IUS and TDRS-1








TDRS-1 Fully erected at 45° angle





TDRS has been deployed


TDRS-1 will now make its way to GEO


Challenger in a rest period after deployment





Challenger awaiting SPPT deployment


SPPT deployment








SPPT fully deployed


After successful deployment and data, SPPT will retract


SPPT retracting





Preparing for deorbit burn


OMS ignites for deorbit





Re-entry of Challenger








Approaching Edwards











Wheel stop and the end of Challenger's maiden flight!

[Rutabaga22]

this is really cool! can’t wait to see skylab expansion and power modules added the shuttles!

[2009Tartigrade]

Really cool, absolutely love reading re-enactment missions! Can't wait to see what your vision for the future of Skylab holds. Also love shuttle design, so much effort in the aesthetics of everything!   

[TruthfulGnome]

Skylab 9 | SLM-8 | STS-9 | Spacelab-1 - August 23 - 31, 1983


Crew:
Commander: John Young
Pilot: Robert Gibson
Mission Specialist 1 Robert L. Stewart
Mission Specialist 2: Owen Garriott  
Payload Specialist 1: Ulf Merbold 
Payload Specialist 2: Bryon K. Lichtenberg

Orbiter:
OV-102 | Columbia

Launch pad:
LC-39A

Columbia is set to start her first normal scheduled stay at Skylab and the final mission of Skylab Reuse Phase 2 with Phase 3 beginning in 1984. During this historical mission, the Columbia crew will carry out Spacelab experiments, three EVAs if possible,  ATM solar inspection for the upcoming crew of Skylab 10, and evaluate compatibility with Skylab for the future module planned in Phase 3.  Additionally, this will also be the first flight of an ESA astronaut and the reusable laboratory Spacelab which will mark a significant boost in the European space sector. Sadly, this will be John Young's final spaceflight, a true legendary pioneer in our space program.










Crew arm retract











Go for main engine start


Liftoff of STS-9!





Roger roll


Roll complete





Columbia - Houston you are go at throttle up


SRB Separation





Columbia on trajectory to Skylab


ET Sep














Payload bay opening revealing Spacelab-1








Newfoundland captured by the crew











Rendezvous boost to Skylab


Skylab in view photographed by STS-9








Columbia - Houston go with docking





Approaching APAS-1











Berthed.


























First EVA of the program since Skylab 4


ATM inspection








Columbia preparing for undocking


Undocking











Photographs while leaving Skylab





Final science instrument deployment





Deorbit


Reentry











Columbia approaching pre final


Gear down


Touchdown


Gear contact. Columbia is home.




this was supposed to be posted days ago just thought it was quite boring and put it off for a bit, but I am fine with it now and I hope you guys like it!

Edited December 23, 2022 by TruthfulGnome

[TruthfulGnome]

Skylab 10 | SLM-9 | TRS-3 | STS-12| - December 17 - 24, 1983

Ending the year with the start of Reuse Phase 3 and the anticipated higher flight rate of 1984 and beyond has many excited about the future of Skylab and the STS program. Today, STS-12 will conduct ATM solar inspections, an EVA to retract the two forward ATM (Apollo Telescope Mount) solar panels which allows clearance for PM deployment on Skylab 11 which is scheduled for launch in February 1984, TRS-3 stow for docking with PM, and system checkouts for future kit installations. 

Crew:
Commander: Robert Crippen
Pilot: Francis R. Scobee
Mission specialist 1:Terry Hard
Mission Specialist 2: Richard Mullane
Payload Specialist 1: George Nelson

Orbiter: 
OV-102 | Columbia

Launch Pad:
LC-39A











Coming up on the 30 second mark.


We are go for main engine start!


Main engine ignition!


Liftoff of Columbia!


Roll maneuver 





Throttle down








"Solid Rocket Booster separation confirmed"





External Tank sep


Orbit burn


Payload bay opening








Columbia resting before Skylab rendezvous






Arrival at Skylab





"PM deployed, look at her go!"





TRS aligned for docking





TRS-3 docked to Skylab


Approach for docking


Columbia docked 











EVA 2








Solar 1 retract





Solar 2 retract








Skylab seen with 2 of its solars retracted 











Luna





Columbia undocking





Payload bay sealing.


Deorbit burn


Preparing for reentry








"Columbia now approaching Edwards"


Gear down


"Touchdown!"


"Wheel stop! Columbia has finished yet another big mission for Skylab!"

[Rutabaga22]

OOoo, I love the shots! Could you provide some craft files for these?

[Lil_Bread402]

Splendid

[2009Tartigrade]

Amazing 

[bigmanhelper]

I've been waiting for someone to write a alternate history about Skylab that did justice to that station. Thank you so much and keep it up!

[TruthfulGnome]

20 hours ago, bigmanhelper said:

I've been waiting for someone to write a alternate history about Skylab that did justice to that station. Thank you so much and keep it up!

Thank you, I have much more in mind stay tuned!

[Kerbalsaurus]

I saw you were planning to do something with making the Skylab multi-modular and now I wonder, how are you going to do that? Skylab was quite obviously designed to be a monolithic station.

[TruthfulGnome]

41 minutes ago, Kerbalsaurus said:

I saw you were planning to do something with making the Skylab multi-modular and now I wonder, how are you going to do that? Skylab was quite obviously designed to be a monolithic station.

You will see soon  

[TruthfulGnome]

Skylab 11 | SLM-10 | STS-14 | February 9-16, 1984
We Have Power!



Crew:
Commander: Thomas K. Mattingly
Pilot: David M. Walker
Mission Specialist 1: Ellison S. Onizuka
Mission Specialist 2: David C. Leestma
Payload Specialist 1: Paul D. Skully-Power
Payload Specialist 2: Gary E. Payton

Orbiter:
OV-099 | Challenger

Following Ronald Reagans speech on January 25, 1984  where he said "America has always been greatest when we dared to be great. We can reach for further greatness, we can expand our dreams to distant stars living working in space for peaceful economic and scientific gain. Tonight, I am directing NASA to continue developing Skylab as a science platform and to develop a permanently manned space station for Low Earth Orbit exploration and further, and to do it within a decade after Skylab's lifetime. We want our friends and allies to share in their benefits, NASA will invite other countries to participate so we can strengthen peace, build prosperity, and expand freedom for all who share our goals." NASA is ready to push forwards with Phase 3 and attach the PM (Power Module) to Skylab, the PM built by Lockheed shares identical parts to the upcoming Hubble Space Telescope slated to launch in 1986, the PM will be removed from the Orbiters payload bay by TRS-3 and transported to Skylab where Challenger will dock afterwards and install the last remaining science kits. All of these achievements will allow the refurbished workshop to become fully operational, Shuttle tended, and allow full habitability of 3 crew.


The next mission to Skylab, Skylab 12, is scheduled for launch in May 1984 and will resupply the station's TACS fuel. This will be the final mission in Phase 3, after which the program will move on to Phase 4. Phase 4 will consist of several missions, including the installation of a new airlock, modified Spacelab, the use of a short modified Spacelab equipped with a science pallet, and the addition of a thermal shield wrap. These missions are expected to take place between 1985 and 1987.









T-25 seconds, sequence now controlling the final seconds.


Main engine start!


Liftoff of Challenger to Skylab!





Roll program complete, now on trajectory with Skylab.


Solid Rocket Booster separation





MECO





Challenger with her payload bay open.








Rendezvous burn


Skylab arrival








TRS undocking





TRS approaching Challenger










TRS-3 removes PM from Challenger.














Soft dock


TRS-3 undocks from PM to dock with the alternate docking port on Skylab.





Challenger soft docks to Skylab








PM solar deploy


PM solars fully deployed with TDRS communication antennas deployed.





Skylab now in its fully operational configuration.








Undocking.





Deorbit.














Wheel stop! wonderful mission you guys!

[AlmondTheAstronaut]

very epic hopefully we'll see more cool stuff even after ksp 2 releases

 

[Kerbalsaurus]

What mod are the Skylab parts from? Is it BDB or a BDB-esque mod?

Never mind, I found out.

Edited February 12, 2023 by Kerbalsaurus

[kspbutitscursed]

buh i can not see the picturethey are just links lol

[TruthfulGnome]

Skylab 12 | SLM-11 | STS-16 | May 21-27 | 1984
The Ball

Crew:
Commander: Robert F. Overmyer
Pilot: Donald E. Williams
Mission Specialist 1: Rhea Sheddon
Mission Specialist 2: James F. Buchii
Payload Specialist 1: Jake Garn



Orbiter:
OV-099 | Challenger

Following the successful attachment of the PM and Skylab now being in its fully operational state, Challenger is prepared to send off Phase 3 of the program, which involved replenishing the TACS fuel on the Workshop. This mission is crucial to the program as Skylab is low on fuel. Challenger will carry a gaseous nitrogen "ball" which will require an EVA to have a cable run from the Orbiter's payload bay to the TACS section. This marks a one of a kind mission as NASA is developing an automated resupply system to keep fuel levels at a balanced level. After a short visit, the Skylab 12 will make necessary preparations for the arrival the Skylab 13 crew, who will conduct out final Spacelab compatibility tests between it and Skylab for permanent attachment on Skylab 14.

Additionally, Martin Marietta has been awarded a contract by the USAF to study and develop an inline External Tank for the proposed Hammerhead ET. This new Hammerhead ET will enable the Shuttle Orbiters to carry wider payloads. Meanwhile, Boeing has begun studying the SRB-X, a rocket with a core RSRM and two RSRM boosters which would be shared with STS launches, with this launcher Boeing hopes to provide an alternative to Martin Marietta's Titan launchers, SRB-X also aims to reduce the number of cargo launches on Space Shuttle.
Challenger preparing for flight








Booster ignition and lift off!


Roll program





Challenger soars on her way to Skylab


Solid Rocket Booster sep!











Preparing for ET separation





Payload bay doors open revealing the large nitrogen TACS refueling ball.








Arrival at Skylab


Soft dock.





Hard dock, Skylab 12 will shortly begin refueling Skylab.

















Skylab rests after being refueled








Challenger undocks from Skylab











Preparing for deorbit and reentry





Reentry














Touchdown








Wheel stop and the end of Skylab 12.

this post is shorter than usual and will most likely be the last mission in this format, I plan on moving to a format with 2-3 missions in one post.

Edited April 30, 2023 by TruthfulGnome

[LucalisIndustries]

I neeeed mooooooooreee

[Rutabaga22]

This series amazing

[TruthfulGnome]

 

Skylab 13 | SLM-12 | STS-18 | November 30 - December 11 | 1984

 

 

Orbiter: OV-099 | Challenger

 

Challenger prepares for a critical mission in the Skylab program, Skylab 13 will rendezvous and dock with the Skylab station to conduct final crucial experiments with the Spacelab module, This will pave the way for future Spacelab module attachments to the Orbital Workshop on Skylab 14 and Skylab 19. The Spacelab modules, developed by the European Space Agency are expected to play a pivotal role in advancing key space sciences, future space station capabilities, and manned permanent stays with crew rotations without the need of a Orbiter docked to the station.

Following President Roland Regan's announcement of the Teachers in Space Program, which will send teachers into space aboard the Space Shuttle to conduct teachings on the Skylab space station, even larger interest into the Space Shuttle and Skylab program has risen. With this massive program, NASA hopes young ones across the globe are inspired to pursue STEM fields to reach for the stars and expand mans' long dream of space.

 

In other news, the United States Air Force (USAF) continues to expand their involvement with the Space Shuttle and space industry overall. The USAF announced a Shuttle Orbiter to only be flown by the USAF ordered from Rockwell International, this Orbiter named 'Resolution' will be the sister orbiter to OV-103 Discovery. Discovery will conduct Vandenberg SLC-6 missions until Resolution is available to fly. Resolution will fly with the Hammerhead ET to enable larger payloads, it's noted that what the USAF's specific objectives with these missions are unknown.

 

Challenger rests awaiting launch from LC-39A

 

 

 

 

 

Titan LC-41 visible in the background, a planned launch site for Skylab resupply launches.

 

 

 

T-35 seconds. The SRB hydraulic power unites have started.

 

T-5..4..3..2..

 

Roll program putting Challenger on track to Skylab

 

Max-Q

 

Solid shutdown.

 

 

 

External Tank separation

 

 

 

Rendezvous burn to Skylab.

 

 

 

 

Approaching Skylab

 

 

 

"Good alignment, nearing MDIM APAS forward node."

 

Soft berth.

 

 

 

Challenger fully docked to the Skylab station.

 

 

 

 

 

After a few days of final compatibility tests with Spacelab to Skylab, Challenger undocks from the station and prepares for a return to Earth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payload doors closing

 

 

 

Reentry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Main gear touchdown

 

Nose gear touchdown at Edwards Airforce Base

 

Wheel stop, a perfect landing and finish to Skylab 13.

 

Note: I am retconning the radiator on the Power Module

Edited May 2, 2023 by TruthfulGnome