[WiP] [1.3] STS - AVALON

[RaendyLeBeau]

Frankly - the "NSFR" implementation is exciting, but again back to the topic realistic - it is unfortunately not.   - The "NSWR" concept is still quite unfinished, which means that this concept has a long way to reality...

- Another concept which fascinates me personally is the Magnetoplasma Rocket Engine "Vasmir",  which besides the already tested NERVA Engines can also show real successes.

https://www.rt.com/usa/246581-mars-39-days-rocket/

Spoiler

"Over a three-year period, NASA will give the Texas-based company in the region of $10 million to fully develop a new version of the Vasimr engine. With successful demonstrations of their new VX-200-SS prototype, which will be able to fire continuously for more than 100 hours, NASA will consider employing the propulsion system on future excursions to Mars. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_Specific_Impulse_Magnetoplasma_Rocket

Spoiler

 

"In March 2015, Ad Astra announced the award of a $10 million award from NASA to advance the technology readiness of the VASIMR engine, the VX-200SS (SS stands for steady state) to meet the needs of deep space missions.^[31][32]

In August 2016, Ad Astra announced the successful completion of the milestones for the first year of its 3-year Next Space Technology Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) contract with NASA. This will allow first high power plasma firings of the engines, with a stated goal to reach 100h/100kW by mid-2018. ^[33]"

 

 

here is a document of the actuall developing status of the VASIMR VX-CR :   http://www.adastrarocket.com/IEPC13-202_JACastroNieto.pdf
 

Spoiler

 

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Edited January 9, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[RaendyLeBeau]

maybe i will redesign the upper part of the Engine. (located on upperstage "LBSI_SS-AVALON_CEB_0900_EngineBlock" )

The upper part I would make less stockalike, rather more realistic.

[captinjoehenry]

6 hours ago, RaendyLeBeau said:

Frankly - the "NSFR" implementation is exciting, but again back to the topic realistic - it is unfortunately not.   - The "NSWR" concept is still quite unfinished, which means that this concept has a long way to reality...

- Another concept which fascinates me personally is the Magnetoplasma Rocket Engine "Vasmir",  which besides the already tested NERVA Engines can also show real successes.

https://www.rt.com/usa/246581-mars-39-days-rocket/

  Hide contents

"Over a three-year period, NASA will give the Texas-based company in the region of $10 million to fully develop a new version of the Vasimr engine. With successful demonstrations of their new VX-200-SS prototype, which will be able to fire continuously for more than 100 hours, NASA will consider employing the propulsion system on future excursions to Mars. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_Specific_Impulse_Magnetoplasma_Rocket

  Hide contents

 

"In March 2015, Ad Astra announced the award of a $10 million award from NASA to advance the technology readiness of the VASIMR engine, the VX-200SS (SS stands for steady state) to meet the needs of deep space missions.^[31][32]

In August 2016, Ad Astra announced the successful completion of the milestones for the first year of its 3-year Next Space Technology Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) contract with NASA. This will allow first high power plasma firings of the engines, with a stated goal to reach 100h/100kW by mid-2018. ^[33]"

 

 

here is a document of the actuall developing status of the VASIMR VX-CR :   http://www.adastrarocket.com/IEPC13-202_JACastroNieto.pdf
 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

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The thing with Vasmir is that it is quite low thrust indeed but highly efficient which would give a terrible thrust to weight ratio to the upper stage.

[RaendyLeBeau]

13 hours ago, captinjoehenry said:

terrible thrust to weight ratio to the upper stage.

yep - but highly efficient  - http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Exploring_space/Ion_drive_versus_chemical_rocket

Q: its this the propulsion solution of the Avalon transferstage ?  - No idea, I'm not sure yet

- possibly with a reactor (nuclear -> steam-> electricity) with enough small efficient vasmir drives ..?
Could one calculate that? - solar energy with panells we would have had enough - storage of energy in battery cells in order to guarantee optimum availability.

Spoiler

 

- so check  @16:10 i think its a interesting annotation.

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Edited January 10, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[RaendyLeBeau]

hi all, so yesterday i make first test with a new design of engine (closed cycle gas core rocket )- here some pictures. (Yes, the drive forces will be adjusted later )

the thermal cooling system are not yet finisehd. There are still hinged panels - these are still in development. But the rest works quite favorably. Think this drive variant would also meet the requirements. A drive variant with a separate reactor is no longer required because of structural aspects.

http://imgur.com/gallery/0jS2I

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

 

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This type of drive (nuclear "light bulb") is ultimately a good compromise. Is well playable run & go variante. No fuel conversion needed in the game .. ultimately it is important to me to publish a mod package which is intended for the majority of the players.

- whereby I think for the Avalon Transferstage ATS - two to three drive variants to provide. This would be very interesting. Maybe I try to draw a NERVA drive in addition to the "Nuclear gas core closed cycle rocket engine".

- so one would have several combination variants - depending on the future mission requirement.

 

Edited January 13, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[RaendyLeBeau]

hi all,

as mentioned here, a first model for a LANTR Engine for the AVALON Transferstage.

Can not wait to test the engine.     

http://imgur.com/gallery/8iane

 a second combination option to the existing ATS Closed Cycle Gas Core Engine 

- external dimension : diameter ca. 5.4m / height ca.8.5m  [engine core D:4.36m / H:5.13m ]

 

Edited January 14, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau
LANTR-Nerva Engine for the AVALON Transferstage.

[RaendyLeBeau]

here some pictures of the ATS E218 "FatBoy" -NERVA III

- Yes our KERBALS are really brave - sniffing at the atomic exhaust of the NERVA 

http://imgur.com/gallery/bN8Hs

- maybe i want to design tomorrow a dual Nozzle(two Engines, one nuclear core) version of the "FatBoy"

 

 

maybe he wanted to warm his toast bread for the lunch. ..

 

Edited January 15, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau
here some pictures of the ATS E218 "FatBoy" -NERVA III

[RaendyLeBeau]

There might be a NERVA Dual Engine version. - 1 reactor core - two enignes with nozzles

more here :  http://imgur.com/a/GvtbO

 

 

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Think this could be done.

So we now had a total of 4 combinable options for the AVALON Transferstage:

1. traditional drive: (LiquidFuel / or LqdHydrogen)
2. Nuclear Propulsion: - closed cycle gas core Rocket this type of type using a gaseous fission reactor.
3. Nuclear Propulsion: - nuclear thermal rocket - This type of fuel is a working fluid, usually liquid hydrogen, is heated to a high temperature in a nuclear reactor, and then expands through a rocket nozzle to create thrust. (LiquidFuel / or LqdHydrogen)
4. Nuclear Propulsion: same type as point 3. NERVA version but with dual engines and more overall performance.

Now the appropriate space drive can be selected depending on the space travel mission.

 

Edited January 15, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau
ATS 4 combinable options for the AVALON Transferstage:

[Kertech]

I keep this thread up just to stare at the pretty pictures! Looking great, really cannae wait to try this! 

I was wondering with the nuclear lightbulb and Nerva engines if there was a way to make it work with the interstellar versions? 

[RaendyLeBeau]

18 minutes ago, Kertech said:

I keep this thread up just to stare at the pretty pictures! Looking great, really cannae wait to try this! 

I was wondering with the nuclear lightbulb and Nerva engines if there was a way to make it work with the interstellar versions? 

Many thanks kertech ! as you see there is a lot of work, sometimes also beautiful pictures. - to wait is actually available for tester a version ready. - so you can join in. The github version is currently not up to date. This week will make an update (with the new ATS engines).

- whether it is running mod 'Interstellar'? Good question - unfortunately, I know "Interstellar" too little. Is a good question. 

Would actually be still cool to make the mod 'interstellar' fit. - Will ask  @Nansuchao , especially since he is an 'Interstellar' specialist. 

 

 

Edited January 16, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[Nansuchao]

17 minutes ago, Kertech said:

I keep this thread up just to stare at the pretty pictures! Looking great, really cannae wait to try this! 

I was wondering with the nuclear lightbulb and Nerva engines if there was a way to make it work with the interstellar versions? 

 

1 minute ago, RaendyLeBeau said:

Many thanks ! as you see there is a lot of work, sometimes also beautiful pictures. - to wait is actually available for tester a version ready. - so you can join in. The github version is currently not up to date. This week will make an update (with the new ATS engines).

- whether it is running mod 'Interstellar'? Good question - unfortunately, I know "Interstellar" too little. Is a good question. 

Will ask  @Nansuchao , especially since he is an 'Interstellar' specialist. 

 

 

They will probably not collide, but they'll use two different system. The AVALON's ones use the stock heating and energy system, those in Interstellar use the Warp Plugin.

[RaendyLeBeau]

35 minutes ago, Kertech said:

I keep this thread up just to stare at the pretty pictures! Looking great, really cannae wait to try this! 

I was wondering with the nuclear lightbulb and Nerva engines if there was a way to make it work with the interstellar versions? 

I do not want to promise now, which I can not later. The idea I find very good. - We look like that could be implemented. We can at the end offer a stock version and an IS. version (maybe with a MM patch). - but as I said the idea pleases me.

Edited January 16, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[Kertech]

5 minutes ago, RaendyLeBeau said:

Many thanks kertech ! as you see there is a lot of work, sometimes also beautiful pictures. - to wait is actually available for tester a version ready. - so you can join in. The github version is currently not up to date. This week will make an update (with the new ATS engines).

- whether it is running mod 'Interstellar'? Good question - unfortunately, I know "Interstellar" too little. Is a good question. 

Would actually be still cool to make the mod 'interstellar' fit. - Will ask  @Nansuchao , especially since he is an 'Interstellar' specialist. 

 

 

Well I'm currently blitzing my save file (had a something go wrong and everything turn into NaN  clean file for now) is there a link for a test version? (if you don't mind)

 

15 minutes ago, RaendyLeBeau said:

I do not want to promise now, which I can not later. The idea I find very good. - We look like that could be implemented. We can at the end offer a stock version and an IS. version (maybe with a MM patch). - but as I said the idea pleases me.

Sounds fab, as it is this mod sounds great!!

[RaendyLeBeau]

12 hours ago, Kertech said:

is there a link for a test version? (if you don't mind)

Yes, we are slowly coming into the test phase - there we can testers who need to deliver test results. 

Am currently at the completion of the ATS (avalon transferstage). But this weekend still has to work on it. As soon as the current release is finished give you at the beginning next week the link. (Personal msg.)

 

[Kertech]

1 hour ago, RaendyLeBeau said:

Yes, we are slowly coming into the test phase - there we can testers who need to deliver test results. 

Am currently at the completion of the ATS (avalon transferstage). But this weekend still has to work on it. As soon as the current release is finished give you at the beginning next week the link. (Personal msg.)

 

Great thanks @RaendyLeBeau, thisall looks seriously amazing! (and is definitely the number one distraction from work...)

[RaendyLeBeau]

On 17.1.2017 at 0:08 PM, Kertech said:

Great thanks @RaendyLeBeau, thisall looks seriously amazing! (and is definitely the number one distraction from work...)

yes please -  thank you kertech.  - cheers

 

Yet another topic which has not convinced me so far - the habitat module.

I thought and implemented a simple concept. Think it might look like this. :

- Consisting of a main module (HB-84)
- Then a simple adapter module (HB-60) for the lateral sides of the main module.
- Plus an adapter module for the lateral sides of the main module that can assume Command functions - in fact a "Command Cupola" (HB-60-s).
In between (or wherever) a large docking module could be used.

 

The ivas for the habitats are not yet thought - therefore I can not yet say how many kerbals will have in it. But there will be at least one football team plus coach. 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 18, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[Kertech]

I've always felt thislooks like a LBSI-ised copernicus concept vehicle

That central docking zone made me remember this image! I'm just wondering about the clearance to the solar panels, in the original images they're next to the habitation model? 

I'm guessing the bottom image is in launch configuration? 

 

I was wondering if a service bay somewhere might be a good idea, means you can hide all the lifesupport/other difficulty stuff) so to keep the beautiful exterior!

 

On a different note, here is crew transfer to station 2 after being outsourced to a private firm called LSBI (love the Leia)

And light transfer vehicle - Kappa

 

These are part of what makes me excited about the Avalon (well that and being welsh, Ynys Afallon appears a lot in stories from my youth!)

[RaendyLeBeau]

Wow, cool pictures. Finally I see something of 'rocket-factory' - @Kertech many thanks!

Yes in fact, the basic idea for AVALON comes from the nasa concept MTV (Mars Transfer Vehicle Concepts Concept -2014 - copernicus)

Yes the lower picture corresponds to the start configuration, but this can also have fewer elements.

The construction of a space station covers one of the partial tasks avalon transport system (so also like any other STS) The ATS-habitats are new modular, so it can be extended. Eventually come still one more habita-addons part (see picture yellow parts) -much it but to a minimum restrict because there are better mods 'habitat' on this topic.

full album  : http://imgur.com/gallery/3nnfq

Have still created Q+D  ('quick & dirty') some renders in Blender 

Yes so roughly I imagine a possible space-station.

Yes of course is missing some .. no solar panels etc .. in game pictures are still.

 

- Hope this weekend can finish the next test release. (alle the ATS engines, maybe with the new habitat Modules - and new expandable HighGain-Antenna )

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[RaendyLeBeau]

Because rendering so fun, I have still made a few render pictures more. 

Some images contain an additional fuel tank at the ATS - this would be thought to operate the ATS without SRB. - just such an option.

here the full album : http://imgur.com/gallery/9zQkf

cheers & have fun

Edited January 19, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[Kertech]

7 hours ago, RaendyLeBeau said:

Because rendering so fun, I have still made a few render pictures more. 

Some images contain an additional fuel tank at the ATS - this would be thought to operate the ATS without SRB. - just such an option.

here the full album : http://imgur.com/gallery/9zQkf

cheers & have fun

I thought there were forum rules against posting adult rated photos on here  

 

what is the orbital dv of this beauty? 

[RaendyLeBeau]

 

2 hours ago, Kertech said:

orbital dv

hi kertech, sry. you mean delta-v  ? .. it is depending on the selected ATS Drive .. so i will post soon a detailed matrix of the possile composition of all the Engines.

- so, just finished the blender models of new Habitat for the ATS - it looks now like that:

http://imgur.com/gallery/rOiXy

I hope the whole looks better in the game. . 

I have decided to take the fuel-cluster tank into the assortment. This can be used as an "ats unit" for refueling other stations or (like this picture).

 

Oh yes - as usual - the textures come at the end .. first I test functional aspects.

Spoiler

So the 3-d models are first assigned only material and properties (color - gloss) - only at the end when these models are texturized and again compiled with unity. - therefore, the models are still unfinished. -  Yes the whole has advantages, but also disadvantages

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Edited January 19, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[RaendyLeBeau]

so just finished the ATS Engine drives in Unity    -- it looks quite good

http://imgur.com/gallery/BNViF

the redesign of the LF (chemical liquid fuel)  version of ATS Engine will following soon. - The height had to be adapted S1 STAGE-Adapter.

- tomorrow config setup of drives, and ATS Core FuelTank Config Adaptation to ISFuelSwitch plugin (Interstellar Fuel Switch ) - so because now we are Different tank fillings.

 

                              NERVA double Nuclear-Engine  // NERVA Nuclear-Engine   // ClosedCycleGasCore Nuclear-Engine

 

later, a summary of the ATS engines follows in the form of a table matrix with performance and features propellant use etc..

 

PS.  There is still a lot of work, I think I will not finish tomorrow, the next test release will only come next week. - cheers

 

 

 

Edited January 21, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[RaendyLeBeau]

Hi all, still a few pictures to the theme habitat module.
I have found that the habitat main module lbsi-HAB-84 [8.4m dia. X 8.3m height] is roughly comparable (With additional modules) to the Bigelow Nautilus *

 

BLUE object =>  BA330 'Nautilus' outher dimensions

 

- here therefore some pictures from the inside of the nautilus

- maybe I can take his as an example for my Habitats IVA.   -

In contrast to the BA 330 my habitats are not extendable. Maybe I should think about it and make it extendable. ..

 

 

* (Bigelow Nautilus: 45 x 22 feet (13.7 x 6.7 meters), 50,000 pounds (22.675 kg), 11.650 cu / ft (330 cu / meters)

 

 

Spoiler

 

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full source/article found here :   http://www.murc.ws/showthread.php?58255-Inside-Bigelows-space-station&s=4b7c46fa5d8f5868d852a4eb9b8db43a

 

Edited January 24, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[RaendyLeBeau]

hi all, once again the concept has been thought out - to transport the habitat modules and to put them together, there are different ways.

I have decided for a small transport-unit. This can dock on the outsides of a HAB modul and attach it if necessary to another docking node.

here some (q&d) render sketches :

http://imgur.com/a/H6T9t

http://imgur.com/a/9UK93

YES NOW WE CAN!  build a Big Space Station on LEO with this small space-truck

 

 

LBSI CDU-62  

6m diameter at back for Habitat transports, 2m dia. Vessel - one men command or alternatively remote command

Well, the design is appropriate, not very nice but have a certain charm of a small space pick-up.

LBSI CDU-62 with docked on front a MK1-2 vessel

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 25, 2017 by RaendyLeBeau

[RaendyLeBeau]

And this would also be a possibility to draw a space tug  - I think better than the previous concept - this 'bee' could land next to transport work also on planets with low atmosphere. 

 

- functionally the same as the first design: rear as well as front docking ports.

Additional 4 drive agregate at the rear, for missions with smaller range. - 1 man pod, or remote control from the mother ship.

http://imgur.com/gallery/ItAZ0

small cylinder = kerbal (ca.90 cm height) to compare

small cylinder = kerbal (ca.90 cm height) to compare