tehmattguy

Made some more progress on Salyut 4. This time I was able to add a bit more detail thanks to the power of grip pads. Here I have it flipped over to show off the markings and instrumentation on the underside. On the aft section I added a large circular marking to represent where the solar telescope should be. I also added a sort of "neck frill" to the area in front of the solar array. Docked with a Soyuz 7K-T. These were the successor to the 7K-OKS Soyuz, and featured large whip antennas in place of the solar panels. Another shot of the forward work compartment. There aren't many images of Salyut 4's interior, so I've added a few details based on images from other Salyut stations. And finally in the aft section we have the space toilet! "How does this thing work?" you might ask. Well I'll tell you: ...I don't know Well, that's all I had to share today, so here's one last shot. All going well this thing should be ready for release soon along with the 7K-T.

Got the Breaking Ground DLC recently, and so naturally I've been opening up completed builds and installing folding solar panels and antenna mechanisms everywhere. Soyuz 7K-OKS with DLC fold-out solar panels and antennas. Docked to Salyut 1, featuring similar upgrades. The SSVP docking mechanism has also been redone using the DLC. Once the spacecraft are mechanically locked a hydraulic piston retracts the Soyuz's docking probe, exposing the clamp-o-tron jr beneath. Another hydraulic piston pushes a clamp-o-tron jr through the drogue assembly, bringing the two clamp-o-trons in contact and docking the spacecraft together. This new system is more compact and 100% reusable. As a plus, this upgraded version should also be cross-compatible with the pure-stock version, though I don't really know useful that aspect will wind up being. And here's a new one: Salyut 4! This was the next operational civilian station after Salyut 1. If you're wondering about Salyut 2 and 3, those were actually military Almaz-type space stations that'd been renamed to hide their true purpose. Here I have it docked with a 7K-OKS, mostly just to test the docking mechanism. The real Salyut 4 was serviced by Soyuz 7K-T. Interior preview. Includes a bathroom (not pictured) and DLC swivel chairs. And last but not least: the TKS spacecraft. These were essentially large Proton-launched spacecraft consisting of a reentry capsule (VA) and a pressurized cargo section (FGB). It was originally developed as an alternative to the Soyuz spacecraft, to be used to ferry crew and supplies to the Almaz space stations. However by the time TKS finished development the Almaz program had been cancelled, and TKS were instead flown to Salyut 6 and later Salyut 7. The FGB design would go on to form the basis for several space station modules, many of which were installed on Mir. A descendant of the TKS, Zarya, remains in orbit to this day as a part of the ISS.

Another attempt at recreating a US launcher, this time with the Thor-Delta. This was the fourth member of the Thor family and the first to bear the "Delta" name. With this I'm hoping to start a line of replicas of the Delta rocket family and Japanese Thor-derived vehicles. First stage separation and fairing jettison. From left to right are Stage I "Thor", Stage II "Delta" and Stage III "Altair". Delta was an upgraded Able rocket stage which featured a cold gas attitude control system. After engine cutoff, it maintains its orientation while coasting to apoapsis. Altair was a small solid rocket stage, mounted atop Delta on a turntable. Before ignition it was spun up by small solid rockets to spin-stabilize it. It was then released and ignited to kick the payload onto its final trajectory. And just for fun, here it is with nine solid rocket boosters. This isn't a historical layout, but more of a practice run for future Delta variants. In this configuration, six boosters are lit on the ground with the remaining three being air-started after the first six burn out. The ground lit boosters are then jettisoned in groups of three.

Did some more flight tests on the Atlas LV-3B but its been challenging getting the perfomance required to reach orbit. The main issue is the Mercury capsule, which produces a lot of drag in its current state. To help test some redesigns I took a cue from the real Mercury program and built my own "Little Joe". These were solid fuel booster rockets made to test the Mercury capsule's launch escape system and to assess its aerodynamic properties. In the meantime I've started decorating a model of the Soyuz 7K-L1, otherwise known as "Zond". This was essentially a cut down version of the 7K Soyuz built to conduct manned circumlunar flybys. Development should be a bit easier since, much like the real program, most of the Zond's components were derived from existing spacecraft.

Just a little update: I've added the 7K-OKS variant to cap off this series of first-gen Soyuz spacecraft. This version featured the SSVP docking port which allowed for internal crew transfer unlike its predecessor. It only flew twice in 1971 as a ferry to the Salyut 1 space station. During its first flight in April 1971, the crew of Soyuz 10 attempted to dock with the station but were forced to abort after a failure of the Soyuz's docking system. Another attempt was made by the crew Soyuz 11, which was ultimately successful. The crew entered Salyut 1 using the new ports, and inhabited the station for 22 days in June of 1971. This mission unfortunately ended in disaster when Soyuz 11's descent module depressurized before reentry, killing all three crew members. While Soyuz underwent major redesigns, Salyut 1 was boosted into a higher orbit until the next crewed mission. This mission would never come, as Salyut 1 ran out of fuel and was intentionally de-orbited months later. A Soyuz 7K-OKS docked to Salyut 1 Bill Kerman inspects the main compartment All three crew members transferred Salyut 1 on reentry Downloads Soyuz 7K-OKS (SSVP probe port) https://kerbalx.com/tehmattguy/Soyuz-7K-OKS Salyut 1 (SSVP drogue port) https://kerbalx.com/tehmattguy/Salyut-1

Man, that's one slick Tomcat. Really captures the look-- I love it!

Following the release of my Soyuz 7K-OK, I wanted to cap it off with the last of the first gen Soyuz: 7K-OKS. This variant used the newly-developed SSVP docking system which allowed for internal crew transfer. Painting depicting Soyuz 10. In this mission a Soyuz 7K-OKS attempted to dock with Salyut 1, both equipped with SSVP ports. This was the first attempted use of the SSVP system. SSVP drogue port (left) and probe port (right) The drogue port mainly consists of a cone made out of solar panels, while the probe port uses a communotron 16 as the probe. Behind each assembly is a clamp-o-tron jr. While docking, the communotron probe contacts and slides into the solar panel cone, guiding the spacecraft towards alignment. Once the two ports are close together, the clamp-o-tron jr's on each port attract one another, locking the ports together. Another pair of communotrons slot into holes on the drogue port to keep the spacecraft aligned and stable. The idea behind all this is to better replicate the SSVP system while maintaining some functionality. Though, to be clear, this system doesn't allow for internal crew transfer in its current form. Testing out the system in orbit. Docked, sort of. While the two spacecraft are mechanically connected, they still considered two separate spacecraft. Timewarping at this point could cause them to drift into one another, so I'd advise against this. To get around this I've implemented a system which allows you to ditch the SSVP assembly in favor of actual docking ports. This is a one-way conversion but allows you to actually dock the spacecraft once you get bored of the "probe and drogue" thing. To start the conversion, the passive port discards its solar panel cone. Another clamp-o-tron jr. slides forward to take its place. The Soyuz discards its probe assembly, allowing the two spacecraft to dock for real this time. I'll be upgrading my Soyuz and Salyut builds using these ports. Should be ready for release soon!

Soyuz This model represents the original Soyuz 11A511 carrier rocket and its payload: Soyuz 7K-OK. The 11A511 was derived from the Voskhod 11A57, upgraded to increase lifting capacity and reliability for crewed missions. It also featured the "Type 1" SAS tower, distinguishable by its dome-shaped fairing. Soyuz flew in this configuration from starting in 1966 with Kosmos-133, up until 1971 with Soyuz 11. Following missions would carry the second generation Soyuz 7K-T. They would also use the "Type 1a" SAS tower which lacked the dome. As for the spacecraft itself, the Soyuz 7K-OK represents the first generation of Soyuz spacecraft. They were commissioned to practice rendezvous, docking, and crew transfer techniques ahead of the Soviet lunar program. To accomplish this, most 7K-OK were equipped with special "probe and drogue" docking ports that allowed them to dock with other spacecraft. Soyuz 7K-OK-A were fitted with the active "probe" port which fit into the passive "drogue" port installed on Soyuz 7K-OK-P. These ports lacked an internal crew passageway, and so crew transfers were conducted via EVA. In addition to these ports the 7K-OK used an early radio-based rendezvous system known as "Igla". Igla was linked to the thruster control system and allowed the Soyuz to approach and dock with its target automatically. Soyuz 7K-OK-A in orbit Flight History Craft Info I started working on this back in KSP version 1.5.1 shortly after the completion of my Proton build. I had built the Proton at 75% scale and so I set about scaling up my existing Soyuz to match. I hit quite a few snags trying to replicate the Soyuz's SAS and the project wound up shelved for over a year. Anyways, I recently tried a new grid fin design which seemed to fix all the problems I'd been having with reliability and stability and whatnot. I found this pretty motivating and so I finally made the final push and finished it! So here it is! Key design features of the rocket include an authentic "Korolev Cross" booster separation sequence, hot-staging between stages 2-3, and of course the SAS launch escape system. On a related note, I'd like to credit @MaianTreyfor suggesting the use of ant and spider engines as LOX vents back on reddit. The Soyuz spacecraft feature special docking ports that attempt to replicate the look of the original "probe and drogue" docking ports present on the 7K-OK models while remaining functional. When properly aligned the clamp-o-tron jr. ports on each Soyuz come close enough to attract each other. This'll keep the Soyuz from drifting apart without actually being docked. Timewarp at your own risk, however. Like I wrote earlier, this is meant to represent the first generation of the Soyuz rocket and spacecraft. I thought I'd start here to provide a good base to iterate on for future variants and upgrades. So stay tuned as I'll probably post more Soyuz variants in the future! And thanks for reading Controls 4: Stage 3 (Block I) shutdown 5: Deploy solar panels and antenna 6: Descent module RCS toggle Backspace: Activate SAS (launch escape) 0: Detach descent module after abort Instructions For the best booster separation, stage at exactly 1:29 or T+89s After achieving orbit with stage 3 press 4 to shutdown the engine. Then stage while throttled up to get the stage 3 vent effect. ***There seems to be a bug where if you try to EVA from a command seat while the kerbal is facing directly towards Kerbin, the kerbal will get stuck. So… don’t do this! Downloads 7K-OK-P (Passive port) https://kerbalx.com/tehmattguy/Soyuz-7K-OK-P 7K-OK-A (Active port) https://kerbalx.com/tehmattguy/Soyuz-7K-OK-A 7K-OKS (SSVP probe port) https://kerbalx.com/tehmattguy/Soyuz-7K-OKS Salyut 1 (SSVP drogue port) https://kerbalx.com/tehmattguy/Salyut-1

In an attempt to diversify my replica collection I've started working on a replica of the Atlas LV-3B. It was a manned launch vehicle used by the US during Project Mercury to put the first American into orbit. A novel feature of the Atlas was its "stage-and-a-half" system. Part way through the flight the Atlas would shed its outer booster engines, leaving the central sustainer engine and verniers to continue the ascent. Getting this to work on my stock replica has been challenging as there is barely any space between the sustainer engine and booster assembly. My current solution is to use a two-piece intermeshing booster skirt. Basically the skirt separates into two pieces but are still held together by parts that have been offset into one another. This gives the skirt a little room to flex, resulting in a (somewhat) clean separation. Atlas and Mercury in orbit. The capsule also includes a deployable impact skirt for extra realism. In other news, I've managed to make some progress on a Soyuz replica. I've been working on this replica on and off since version 1.5.1, but the feature I struggled with most until now was the launch escape system (SAS). The grid fins were particularly problematic as they had a tendency to detach during the escape sequence. The grid fins are torn off as SAS is activated. Before/After The solution was to replace the original 1x1 structural plates with a custom thermometer latticework. This new design is lighter and produces less drag when fully deployed. As a result the new fins stay attached during the escape sequence. They also have the added benefit of actually looking like grid fins. Successful grid fin deployment. Barring any new problems cropping up the Soyuz should be ready for release soon, with the Atlas coming sometime after.

Thank you! And the hinges are made of the Linear RCS Ports held in place by thermometers. For the ramp each segment is clipped slightly into the main craft so that when I decouple them they get a slight kick and are pushed out at the right speed. The heat shield on top of the Lunokhod has an oversized collision mesh, so it pushes the lid out when it's decoupled. However this also means that the lid can't close completely over the heat shield so I haven't added a mechanism to close the lid, unfortunately.

Thank you! The fairings are real finicky but they get the job done.

N1-L3 The N1-L3 was a super-heavy launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union in a bid to land cosmonauts on the Moon. From 1969-1972 four test launches were conducted, all of which ended in failure as a result of complications with the first stage, "Block A". Typically rocket stages are test fired on the ground but no such provisions were made for Block A. Program managers had opted to test the N1 wholly in-flight, a decision that was later described as one of the biggest mistakes in the program. Even years after the landing of Apollo 11, the N1 program had almost nothing to show but rocket debris and a destroyed launchpad and so the program was cancelled in 1976. This is a model of the N1F version, otherwise known as the definitive version of the rocket. Had the program not been cancelled this is the version that would have carried cosmonauts to the Moon. Previous N1 test rockets were only capable of carrying 70 tons to LEO, limiting its payload to lunar-flybys. The N1F however would feature upgraded engines and aerodynamic coverings, as well as super-cooled fuel to boost its lift capacity beyond 90 tons to LEO. The fifth test flight, N1 no. 8L, was to use this configuration but it never flew due to the program's cancellation. As for my replica version, she's built at 75% scale and sits at over 1500 parts. The game lags quite a bit when it loads onto the launchpad but it's manageable. It does feel like the game is playing in slow-motion for the first 3 stages, though. Despite its complexity it handles well and has good flight characteristics overall. Under normal flight circumstances it will fly straight and can be steered away from the prograde vector without flipping. Though I should mention it may flip if you steer too hard in the low atmosphere, sub 10,000m. If you find yourself in a situation like this the craft also features a functional SAS (launch escape) system to keep your kerbals safe. Above is a video I made that runs through the full mission from launch to landing. Alternatively, check out the flight profile album below for details. Flight Profile Download N1F-L3: 1547 parts https://kerbalx.com/tehmattguy/N1-L3 Controls 1: Stage 1 Core 6 Engine Shutdown (optional) 4: LK & LOK RCS toggle (off by default) 5: LK Lunar Ascent Prep. (press before lunar ascent) 6: Descent Module RCS Toggle (off by default) 9: LK Abort to Orbit 0: Detach Descent Module from SAS (press after abort) Backspace: Activate SAS (abort) Tips Put your two Kerbals in the last two seats in the crew menu. This'll put them in the Soyuz module rather than the lander. As for the crew itself I'd recommend bringing two pilots to allow the use of maneuver nodes without using the probe cores. Do not steer the rocket too hard sub 10,000m. Try to keep yourself aligned within a few degrees of the prograde vector at this phase. To perform "hot-staging", activate the next stage before the current one is out of fuel. Press spacebar when the D/v indicator is at 100m/s or so. The first 3 stages have an excess of D/v so i'd recommend dumping the third stage if you're only going for low orbit. Press 5 before lunar ascent to shutdown the main engine and disconnect the umbilical arm between the ascent and landing modules. Doing this lets you throttle up before staging and provides a clean separation sequence.

Completed the L3 lunar complex and mounted it to the top of the N1. Fully assembled the rocket sits at over 1300 parts and lags considerably on the launchpad. I've also run into a strange bug that appears after reverting to launch/vab. After reverting and relaunching the first stage breaks up during staging causing the entire rocket to explode. It's a good excuse to test the launch escape system, but it seems I'm limited to 1 good flight before having to restart KSP. It's not terrible but it does make testing a bit tedious. On the bright side the lag clears up after shedding stage 3. From this point onward things tend to go smoothly for both the game and the L3. Block G propels the complex into a translunar tranjectory. I couldn't find precise information on the layout of Block G so this rendition was the result of a bit of guesswork. I don't know if the main engine could gimbal so for attitude control I've added RCS thusters at the base. The Soyuz 7K LOK orbiter separates from the stack. Here It'll stay in a 100km x 15km orbit while the LK descends to the surface. LK landed, awaiting ascent. The LK's matches the LOK's orbit with just 50m/s to spare. The final approach and docking is performed by the LOK. The habitation and engine modules split off from the descent module before reentry. At this stage the N1 is basically complete save for some minor detail work. I was planning on upgrading it to look more like the N1F since that was the version which would've made the Moon landing in reality. However my redesigned N1F stages produce incredible amounts of drag and I can't figure out why. While this version isn't totally accurate I think I'll have to release it in this form.

N1-L3 is taking shape, got the first 3 stages installed and in working order. For test flights I've fitted a mockup payload fairing with about ~70 tons of ore to simulate the lunar payload. Block A had a tendency to explode in flight, particularly after staging. I went through a few redesigns but in the end it came down to the removal of a few autostrut connections. Construction of Blocks B and V were fairly straightforward though I did have to redo them to add jettison-able interstage fairings. Next up is the L3 lunar payload. Blocks G and D have been added to the stack as well as the LK lander and LOK orbiter. There's still a lot of work to be done on this section but I think it's coming along nicely.

Begun work on a scale model of the N1 moon rocket. I started out by making an LK lunar lander just to see if I could do it justice and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Test flight results are pretty encouraging so I've gone ahead with a plan to make the rest of the rocket. So far I've completed the LK and the "Block A" first stage. I'm also reusing the Block D from my Proton build. In a very Kerbal manner, the LK's landing phase involves braking with the Block D before dumping it to crash on the Moon. Mock landing on the Mun. Block A. Full to the brim with fuel tanks and powered by 30 KS-25's. Attempting to takeoff at full throttle results in an epic fireball. Seems like a huge problem, but maybe its more realistic this way. Seems to fly well enough, though throttling up to 100% again caused a huge explosion. It's fine for now, but I'll try to sort this out when I make Block B.

Lunokhod 1 For the anniversary of the launch of Luna 17 I present to you: stock replicas of Lunokhod 1 and Luna 17! Built at 75% scale to fit on my Proton K/D (included below). It took a lot of fiddling to get the stock hinges working and they're a bit of an eyesore but I still think it turned out well enough. Also, it took a lot of reading to get some of the details right so I hope you don't mind if I regale you with my newfound knowledge. Lunokhod 1 was a Soviet lunar rover launched on November 10, 1970. It was carried to the Moon by the Luna 17 lander, which was launched atop a Proton rocket. On November 17 Luna 17 touched down on the Moon and released onto the surface Lunokhod 1, which became the first roving vehicle to land on another world. The Lunokhod Program The Rover The Lander Moon Walker Built in stock KSP v.1.8.1, no DLC required Updated for 1.9.0 ↓ ↓Download here↓ ↓ rover + lander only (257 parts): https://www.dropbox.com/s/z20y3l1xtksrmln/Lunokhod 1.craft?dl=0 launch configuration atop Proton rocket (835 parts): https://kerbalx.com/tehmattguy/Lunokhod-1 Controls Lander RCS/ vernier systems are toggled off by default- press 4 to toggle attitude vernier control and press 5 to toggle landing vernier control. For the Proton, stage timings are written in the description.

Been working on a series of custom space modules and capsules for a new space station I'm building. Each module has an interior space, accessible through custom "open" docking ports. Each port consists of a 1.25m decoupler and a clamp-o-tron jr. The 1.25m decoupler is used for the hole in its collision mesh, which is just large enough for a kerbal to squeeze through. The idea is to create a station using these ports, to allow kerbals to move between modules internally. The final station will have an uninterrupted, fully navigable interior. Crews will be flown to the station in the Unnamed Space Ferry. Seats 6 kerbonauts inside an aerodynamic fairing. It uses a custom docking port-based hatch that can be opened and closed from within a fairing. Any resemblance to actual spacecrafts, active or retired, is purely coincidental. Docked to the USS (Untitled Space Station) Each docking port on this station uses Elevon-based doors to keep the part count low Ferry hatch opening. Initiating crew transfer with the help of a ladder. Inside the USS node module. Connects up to 6 modules at a time. Somewhat claustrophobic, however. Transferred to the service module. The more spacious space module. I have more modules in the works, will update in the future. Thanks for viewing!

Thanks! Sorry about the delay but I updated the original post and added some download links for you.

A stock replica of the very first space station: Salyut-1! Built at 3/4 scale. Interior still pretty WIP but I finally got it to orbit and just wanted to share some pictures before they go stale. In low Kerbin orbit. Docked with a Soyuz 7K-OKS spacecraft. Jeb enters from the transfer compartment. "Kinda dark. Smells like burning..." Lights on. Much better! Conical secret technology container. ↓↓Download here↓↓ Station only: https://www.dropbox.com/s/woc9f5k83ymyqxp/Salyut 1.craft?dl=0 Launch configuration atop Proton-K: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q6u8zfal0ddrqvm/Proton-K [Salyut 1].craft?dl=0

Thank you! And yes it is indeed mostly fairings, also radiator panels to hide where the fairings end. Very useful for creating custom fuselage shapes!

Proton The Proton was born as the "UR-500", a two-stage super heavy ICBM. With the addition of a third stage it was reworked to serve as a heavy launch platform for the Soviet Union. It was then named "Proton-K" after some of its first payloads, the Proton satellites. In its decades of service it launched a wide array of missions, from space stations to interplanetary probes and landers. The K/D version uses the "Block D" upper stage in its stack. This stage was originally used to boost unmanned Zond spacecraft around the moon. It was later used to boost probes as far as Mars and Venus. (Left) Proton K/DM carrying the EchoStar VIII satellite launched in 2002. (Right) My Proton K/D replica built in KSP at 3/4 scale. Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4, Block D If you'd like to see the rest of the mission (Venera 9) you can read about it here: https://imgur.com/a/dTFtu6p The craft was built in stock KSP v1.5.1, using 493 parts. Stage timings written in the description. Download here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9crpw4exedgcrz3/Proton-K D-1.craft?dl=0

Valentina Kerman uses the last of her EVA fuel to tug her ship back to Kerbin.

Gotta say, Little Katie's painting is the best thing ever. You've got my vote!