How many unlaunched ISS Derived modules do we have still have on earth?

[Cloakedwand72]

How many Un-launched or close to launch ISS derived modules we have? Like do we have spares to make a new space station like a extra unity node module? Also how easy is it to get one mated to a payload adapter on a Falcon 9 Block v or a Falcon heavy Block v? Or a new Glenn?  Also can a  CST-100 or a Dragpn V2 Dock to the Cygnus  & be used as orbiting sky lab?

[Canopus]

The problem with launching USOS style modules like the nodes or destiny and columbus on anything other than the Shuttles is that they have no propulsion themselves. You‘d need to launch them with a service module. For LOP/G the habitats will launch as secondary payload allowing Orion to perform rendevouz and docking. An unmodified Cygnus could not dock with a Dragon or Starliner since they use different interfaces. Cygnus uses the Common Berthing Mechanism and Dragon/Starliner will use the NASA docking system.

[YNM]

7 minutes ago, Canopus said:

they have no propulsion themselves. You‘d need to launch them with a service module.

Skylab didn't have any either, though that proved badly.

[Canopus]

Just now, YNM said:

Skylab didn't have any either, though that proved badly.

Skylab didn‘t need to rendevouz and hook up with other modules. 

[DerekL1963]

19 minutes ago, Cloakedwand72 said:

How many Un-launched or close to launch ISS derived modules we have? Like do we have spares to make a new space station like a extra unity node module?

No, we don't have sufficient spare (ISS) modules to make a new station.  Even if we did, we'd have to design and build at least one new module as no existing or planned USOS module has the RCS systems that Zarya has.  The RCS system is used for minor reboosts and (most importantly) for desaturating the CMG's.

On top of that, as Canopus correctly points out, USOS modules are designed to ride as passive cargo in the Shuttle's cargo bay.  Launching them on expendables would require developing some kind of space tug to provide propulsion, power, attitude control, etc... etc...

[Nightside]

The Russians have been trying to get Nauka off the ground for several years. It is very similar to Zarya in form. 

[YNM]

13 minutes ago, Canopus said:

rendevouz and hook up with other modules. 

Ah, right.

Yeah I guess it'd be quite a task. Maybe Orion or Starliner SM, the same way as Progress for ROS ?

[Ultimate Steve]

Well, there was the Interim Control Module, designed as a service module for the Early ISS phases. It was fully or almost fully built, but was not needed and was put into storage. According to the Wikipedia article, someone prominent said it would take about 2-3 years to get it ready for launch if it is needed. Some people proposed it to be used for various other missions.

There was also the ISS Propulsion Module, each of which could carry enough fuel to reboost the ISS for a year, but I don't think any were ever actually built.

The Habitation module had its pressurized compartment complete, but was then cancelled due to the Colombia disaster. It was reused for ground testing.

The Centrifuge Accommodations Module was also cancelled because of Colombia and its partially complete hull is now an outdoor exhibit, probably in bad condition.

 

There are also a lot of cancelled Russian modules (giant solar panel thing, spherical docking node, 2 mini labs) but I'm not sure how far into assembly they got.

[Scotius]

2 hours ago, Ultimate Steve said:

Well, there was the Interim Control Module, designed as a service module for the Early ISS phases. It was fully or almost fully built, but was not needed and was put into storage. According to the Wikipedia article, someone prominent said it would take about 2-3 years to get it ready for launch if it is needed. Some people proposed it to be used for various other missions.

There was also the ISS Propulsion Module, each of which could carry enough fuel to reboost the ISS for a year, but I don't think any were ever actually built.

The Habitation module had its pressurized compartment complete, but was then cancelled due to the Colombia disaster. It was reused for ground testing.

The Centrifuge Accommodations Module was also cancelled because of Colombia and its partially complete hull is now an outdoor exhibit, probably in bad condition.

 

There are also a lot of cancelled Russian modules (giant solar panel thing, spherical docking node, 2 mini labs) but I'm not sure how far into assembly they got.

Reading this was depressing I think it's sad that half- way decent KSP player can manage a far less lackluster space program from his chair, than highly paid professionals can.

[Cloakedwand72]

2 hours ago, Nightside said:

The Russians have been trying to get Nauka off the ground for several years. It is very similar to Zarya in form. 

Will they use that module for the moon base?

[tater]

I think there is at least one ISS module that NASA has that is flight article, unflown. I want to say that it was one of the parts suggested for the Gateway.

As was said above, it would have to be comanifested with Orion so that there would be a vehicle that could bring it where it needed to go, then dock it with the other station elements.

[Nightside]

50 minutes ago, Cloakedwand72 said:

Will they use that module for the moon base?

Do you mean the proposed Gateway? I didn't think Russia was invited to participate.

[tater]

9 minutes ago, Nightside said:

Do you mean the proposed Gateway? I didn't think Russia was invited to participate.

The Gateway isn't even funded yet, but it was my understanding that all the ISS partners are invited at this point.

[Gargamel]

2 hours ago, Scotius said:

Reading this was depressing I think it's sad that half- way decent KSP player can manage a far less lackluster space program from his chair, than highly paid professionals can.

That's also because they are dealing with a 1 member design committee with a budget of ~$30, while NASA and friends have how many people and how many dollars to spend?  One is far easier to manage than the other. 

[Ultimate Steve]

2 hours ago, Scotius said:

Reading this was depressing I think it's sad that half- way decent KSP player can manage a far less lackluster space program from his chair, than highly paid professionals can.

A side note: Is there a mod that, for a lack of a better description, simulates politics? Like, annual budgets, extra costs for anything crewed, occasional budget cuts, and harsh penalties for failure?

[Gargamel]

4 minutes ago, Ultimate Steve said:

A side note: Is there a mod that, for a lack of a better description, simulates politics? Like, annual budgets, extra costs for anything crewed, occasional budget cuts, and harsh penalties for failure?

I know there are mods that play with budgets, and I know there is a mod that works funds on a monthly budget system, but I don't remember any names. 

[Ruedii]

2 hours ago, Scotius said:

Reading this was depressing I think it's sad that half- way decent KSP player can manage a far less lackluster space program from his chair, than highly paid professionals can. 

Well the problem is that earth is significantly larger than Kerbin, so it takes a lot more power to get things into orbit.  You absolutely need a minimum of 2 additional stages to get even small satellites into orbit.   While SSTOs are quite easy in the fantasy world of Kerbin, on earth they are near impossible.

Edited October 21, 2018 by Ruedii

[Superfluous J]

2 hours ago, Scotius said:

Reading this was depressing I think it's sad that half- way decent KSP player can manage a far less lackluster space program from his chair, than highly paid professionals can.

In addition to the above, NASA also isn't getting paid 10x the cost of a rocket to put a useless satellite in a random orbit, an infinite number of times.

[Nightside]

33 minutes ago, Ultimate Steve said:

A side note: Is there a mod that, for a lack of a better description, simulates politics? Like, annual budgets, extra costs for anything crewed, occasional budget cuts, and harsh penalties for failure?

If  working with budgets and politics seems like it would increase the fun of the game, why not just go all the way and get a job with NASA?

[Ultimate Steve]

23 minutes ago, Nightside said:

If  working with budgets and politics seems like it would increase the fun of the game, why not just go all the way and get a job with NASA?

I'm not saying it would increase the fun level, but it would increase the challenge level. It wouldn't be part of my normal mod set, for sure, but it would be interesting to play with for a little while.

[Canopus]

2 hours ago, Cloakedwand72 said:

Will they use that module for the moon base?

The Russians wanted to contribute an airlock module, launched with an Orion, to the gateway but i think it's questionable if they will contribute at all. I don't think there would currently be any way to launch Nauka into a Lunar orbit.

[Ultimate Steve]

21 minutes ago, Canopus said:

The Russians wanted to contribute an airlock module, launched with an Orion, to the gateway but i think it's questionable if they will contribute at all. I don't think there would currently be any way to launch Nauka into a Lunar orbit.

If they held it back until 202X when it is scheduled to be launched, it would probably break again... A few more problems and it *might* be more effective to just redesign and build a new module.

[tater]

20 hours ago, Nightside said:

If  working with budgets and politics seems like it would increase the fun of the game, why not just go all the way and get a job with NASA?

Way OT, but I think this would radically increase the fun of career mode. This is in fact what I would ideally want in a career mode. A game where there is some zeroith-order economics and even geopolitics (ie: a computer-controlled player 2 for a Space Race, either nationalistic, or commercial (those could be different options).

It would be interesting to mess with, certainly, though the way it played would be entirely driven by the assumptions programed in...

[Guest]

@Ultimate Steve, the closest mod would be "Monthly Budgets" (seriously lol).

@tater, the games "Race Into Space" and "Buzz Aldrins Space Program Manager" do simulate this, though you dont build and fly rockets yourself like in KSP.

[tater]

1 minute ago, dundun92 said:

@Ultimate Steve, the closest mod would be "Monthly Budgets" (seriously lol).

@tater, the games "Race Into Space" and "Buzz Aldrins Space Program Manager" do simulate this, though you dont build and fly rockets yourself like in KSP.

Yeah, it's hard without a gamer that also allows for variant vehicles, though. What-if stuff is hard if you can only use the craft that were used, etc. I always wanted some version of that for KSP...