One launch Station

[Andem]

@Temstar That doesn't violate the rules. feel free to use that  launcher.

 

@Wild Cobra Seems good to me! 

[Temstar]

Here's my entry:
 

Spoiler

Here is my entire stack on the launch pad, The compants of the station is the centre section. The two spaceplane looking parts are the Aurora Winged Boosters that's the launch vehicle.


Since we're launching the pumpkin suit trio into space on top of a giant vehicle some safety is required. The module on the very top of the space station stack is actually my bread and butter space taxi which I can Apokee IV. To make sure subassembly didn't mess with my action groups here's a pad abort test.


Okay, pad abort successful, let's go for the real launch.


Coasting to AP after boost phase, just after LES tower jettison.


75km x 75km orbit reached, separating from boosters. I won't bore you with the details about Aurora recovery here, if you are interested see my thread: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/128674-stock-105-hurricane-launch-vehicle-family/


Here is the space station stack in orbit. From left to right:
Monopropellant Storage and Solar Panel Module, Cupola Module, Main Station Body, Hab B, Hab A, Apokee IV spacecraft.


Hab A assembly using the Apokee IV as an orbital tug.


Hab B assembly.


Cupola Module assembly. The Apokee IV spacecraft here is moving both the Cupola and the monoprop/solar panel modules in one go as the Coupla Module doesn't have a docking port on top (as it will block the nice view out of the centre window otherwise).


Assembly of the final module.


The completed station, with the Apokee IV docked to Hab A. It has a total crew capacity of 11, three medium docking ports and two large docking port fore and aft for further expansion. It would be pretty easy for example to attach a ISRU convert to the front and an engine at the back and shoot the whole contraption to another planet.


Another view of the station. Total payload to orbit just over 80 tons after taking into account monopropellant spent during the construction. In case of emergency and immediate evacuation of the station is required the crew will make their way to the Apokee IV spacecraft, fire up its engines and make an reentry.

 

Edited January 13, 2016 by Temstar

[SpaceplaneAddict]

On January 12, 2016 at 1:03 PM, Andem said:

I've seen people do some crazy stuff with Nertea's Mk IV spaceplane system... so i'm afraid no spaceplanes. 

No stock ones?

[Andem]

21 minutes ago, SpaceplaneAddict said:

No stock ones?

Don't get me wrong, people have done insane things with stock spaceplanes, the Mk IV system is just...A little... much...

[Wild Cobra]

OK, I rearranged the parts a bit:

 

[Norcalplanner]

So just to be clear, does it have to be detachable? Or can I send up a solid 100+ ton station using KJR, assuming I can overcome the aerodynamic issues with the lifter?

[Andem]

On 1/14/2016 at 0:40 AM, Norcalplanner said:

So just to be clear, does it have to be detachable? Or can I send up a solid 100+ ton station using KJR, assuming I can overcome the aerodynamic issues with the lifter?

It does have to be detachable. 5 separate, distinctive modules at least...

[RA3236]

Accepted. Will try tomorrow.

It'll  be interesting to see my ships fly without KJR. This time it is full stock.

EDIT: Can I use an escape pod (ie modified Kerbal X) as a tug? (when I mean modified I mean rebuilt from the ground up)

Edited January 15, 2016 by RA3236

[Andem]

@RA3236 You can, provided that the escape pod can be completely refueled afterwards.

[RA3236]

17 minutes ago, Andem said:

@RA3236 You can, provided that the escape pod can be completely refueled afterwards.

Sorry, but my kind of refuel is not what I think yours is. The escape pod ended with half monopropellant and full LFO. It is still able to land on Kerbin. Maybe even a full ditch to the Mun? 1450m/s delta v might be the trick,

 

[Andem]

16 minutes ago, RA3236 said:

Sorry, but my kind of refuel is not what I think yours is. The escape pod ended with half monopropellant and full LFO. It is still able to land on Kerbin. Maybe even a full ditch to the Mun? 1450m/s delta v might be the trick,

RCS doesn't need to be refueled. so long as it can land on a celestial body safely!

[Bev7787]

Here's mine

 

[Andem]

43 minutes ago, Bev7787 said:

Here's mine

 

Cool. How did you do that without fairings?

[Wild Cobra]

1 hour ago, Andem said:

Cool. How did you do that without fairings?

It's not too hard if you use struts and keep the acceleration at or below 2 g's.

 

This was a single launch:

 

 

[Rune]

Hum. My very tiny LPS almost complies. I'm lacking the "escape modules", but then again I'm also lacking a crew so far, I assembled it with the MMU on remote... but it does very fine on the module count department, with 14 distinct pieces to assemble, and the part count is a modest 80, including the MMU and the cuppola pod. Actually, if you count those as "escape vehicles"...

 

Edit: Oh, and my "Tug" is one of my 10-part "Kerbaled Maneuvering Units". You can actually grab the files for the whole thing in this post, if you know how to circumvent the recent mediafire ban (hint: the ban only removed This website cannot be used on these forums a very specific word from the URL addresses).

 

Rune. And that is without having read the challenge beforehand!

Edited January 18, 2016 by Rune

[n.b.z.]

I don't have a submission, just some old thing that doesn't conform to the challenge rules. Posting it for inspiration - not only because it's taking the one-launch-station idea to a ridiculous level, but it shows a way to make something that's very big surprisingly aerodynamic.

The Southern Cross Orbital Habitat had its own specialized launcher, and was made from 100% stock parts before we had fairings. Back then, folding the station into a fairing had no aero advantage, but that station could never have been launched in the "deployed" configuration for obvious structural reasons.

P.S.: The station was decommissioned for its tendency to set my computer on fire. I could never determine the part count, because my computer usually melted before it could count that far.

Edited January 18, 2016 by n.b.z.
clearer wording & part count comment

[Andem]

These all look Great! I'm glad people are submitting, because it's time for the first STATION OF THE WEEK!

[RA3236]

4 hours ago, Andem said:

These all look Great! I'm glad people are submitting, because it's time for the first STATION OF THE WEEK!

Cool!!!

By the way, could you make a leaderboard on the OP?

Might help if you can see who has done the challenge...

Edited January 19, 2016 by RA3236

[Andem]

7 hours ago, RA3236 said:

Cool!!!

By the way, could you make a leaderboard on the OP?

Might help if you can see who has done the challenge...

What do you mean? I really only know the basics of stuff like this... On the Root post I declared the weeks winner and put a pic of the station up, could you tell me how to do that stuff? 

[RA3236]

1 hour ago, Andem said:

What do you mean? I really only know the basics of stuff like this... On the Root post I declared the weeks winner and put a pic of the station up, could you tell me how to do that stuff? 

Example:

Leaderboards/people who have completed the challenge (or your own little title check out some other people's challenges for help):

Example1 with (points or number of stuff or craft weight at launch or your own thing)

Example2 with ... And so on

Add people as they submit so that the will appear on the OP.

 

 

[Tiber9]

Thanks Andem! The crew is opening an extra bag of snacks to celebrate! 

 

also,

On 1/18/2016 at 9:05 AM, n.b.z. said:

I don't have a submission, just some old thing that doesn't conform to the challenge rules. Posting it for inspiration - not only because it's taking the one-launch-station idea to a ridiculous level, but it shows a way to make something that's very big surprisingly aerodynamic.

That is inspiration. beautiful final result too! My computer is worried I'll try it...

[RA3236]

7 hours ago, Tiber9 said:

 

That is inspiration. beautiful final result too! My computer is worried I'll try it...

And my computer is lucky that my part limit in the VAB is low. Then again, I have enough funds...

[FinalHazard]

Here is my entry, all stock besides KER and KAC:

1913 tons at launch, 342 Parts. The second launch stage wasn't even needed actually. There are 4 fuel pod / solar array modules and 1 habitation/science module with room for 19. Also there are 8 escape pods with RCS fuel for ditching the station from LKO. I cheated on the tug but it could have been done using a small tug if each module had its own monoprop supply and batteries at the expense of my sanity. Build time ~ 2 orbits, 1 hour and 20 minutes. 223 Parts and 230 tons in orbit.

Edit: was testing the escape pods and just realized they have no parachutes.. whoops. Though they are capable of reaching the surface with 110 monoprop each. Guess the station needs some KAS parachute retrofitting..

Edited January 23, 2016 by FinalHazard

[Tiber9]

20 hours ago, FinalHazard said:

Edit: was testing the escape pods and just realized they have no parachutes.. whoops. Though they are capable of reaching the surface with 110 monoprop each. Guess the station needs some KAS parachute retrofitting..

Or vanguard parachutes for the kerbals to bail out before impact. ;-)

[UltraLink729]

I've never made a space station